Thomas Williams

January 11, 1962 — November 26, 2023

Thomas Williams

Service Details

A warm, high-spirited and deeply beloved husband, father and grandfather who had the uncanny ability to make everyone he encountered feel like the most important person in the world, Thomas (Tom) Alan Williams passed away surrounded by loved ones at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines on November 26, 2023.

Tom was born on January 11, 1962, in Clinton, Iowa, to David L. and Mary E. Williams. He grew up to be a handsome and athletic young man with steely blue eyes and a great smile. During his time at Clinton High School he excelled at football, basketball, track and baseball.

Tom went on to play football at Drake University from 1980 to 1983 including a memorable 10-1 season in 1981 when the team became Missouri Valley Conference Champions.

After graduating from Drake, Tom spent a brief time with the Kansas City Chiefs as a cornerback and became a forever fan. He went on to have a successful professional career working in various roles with IBM, Bankers Trust, Data Power Technology, Wells Fargo and Nationwide.

A devoted father, Tom was at his happiest when coaching his son, Jake, and Jake’s friends on various youth football, baseball and basketball teams. Tom brought his energy and enthusiasm onto the field, often using his love of music as a tool to pump up his players. He made an indelible impact on the kids he coached, serving as a mentor to many (above all his son) and developing deep-rooted friendships.

An avid bike rider, Tom was proud to have ridden RAGBRAI (Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa) for nine consecutive years with Team Barfly. It was a close-knit crew and Tom loved the annual tradition. He also enjoyed many summer nights playing Sand Volleyball at Sands in Des Moines.

Tom was happily united in marriage to Colleen Wilson of Des Moines, Iowa, on September 16, 2017. The two were partners for 13 years and married for six. Their time together was a blessing, and the two shared so many adventures and milestones, making memories that Colleen will treasure forever.

Tom was also dedicated to serving his community and enjoyed volunteering for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa, Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and Wesley on Grand.

During Covid Tom had to start slowing down due to health problems. He still found ways to make peoples days by sitting on his front porch and waving at everyone that passed by making even more new friends.

He and Colleen joined the Northwest Community Senior Center in May and had so much fun having lunch several days a week and interacting with the seniors “old people” that frequented the facility.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Colleen; son, Jake (Jenna) Williams from his first marriage with Sherry Schafer; Tom had three stepchildren including Brandi (Robert) Burnside, Brooke Wilson (Neal) and Robert Wilson (Cassie) of Greenfield, Iowa. Tom had two grandchildren g Jack and Jordyn, of West Des Moines, Iowa. He also had 12 step-grandchildren including Sophia, Vivienne, Cassius, Hollis, Brayten, Haley, Brynnlee, Macyn, Jaxsyn, Austyn, Ashdyn and Otto; sisters Kathy (John) Foster and Carol Simpson of Clinton, Iowa; Mary Williams of Memphis, TN; brother Bill (Anja) Williams of Ames, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews that were so dear to him.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Dave and Mary Williams as well as siblings David and Caren Williams and mother-in-law Norma Donnellan.

A visitation will be held for Tom at the chapel at Lutheran Church of Hope at 10 a.m. on December 6th, 2023, followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. with a luncheon to follow.

In lieu of flowers, his family asks that contributions be directed to Clinton High School Athletic Department or Northwest Community Center in Des Moines, IA.

Tom made the world more fun. He was loved by so many people in his life, and his positive, infectious personality made people feel wonderful when they were with him. That is what his friends and family will remember most. May he rest easy, knowing the legacy he leaves behind.

Print