Eugene Anthony "Gene" Williams

Eugene (Gene) Anthony Williams, 94, of Outing MN, passed away on May 16, 2026 while receiving hospice care at Mission Nursing Home in Plymouth.

Gene was born in Richmond, Minnesota, on October 14, 1931 to George D. and Mable (Rogers) Williams. In 1939, his family moved back to Minneapolis where he attended school at St. Stephens in South Minneapolis. Gene was drafted into the Army at 19, serving in the Korean War from 1951-1953. He worked at General Mills in downtown Minneapolis. Gene married Lucilla A. Athmann, of Melrose MN, in 1956 and lived in Brooklyn Park. They moved to Melrose in 1960 co-owning a bowling alley with his father-in-law, John Athmann. From 1968-1973, Gene worked as a traveling salesman for Mack Grapples. In 1974 he moved his family to Outing, to work as a self-employed Excavator never truly retiring but doing less jobs into his later 80's.

Gene is survived by his wife of 70 years, Lu; his children John (Lori) Williams, Georgette (Mark) Steeves, and son-in law, Jamie Friederichs; his grandchildren Maria (Greg) Stiltner, Mark Friederichs, Keith Friederichs, Ken Williams, Kathryn Williams, Deacon Evan Steeves, Olivia Steeves, Daniel (Mary) Steeves, Andrew Steeves, and Mary Lu Steeves; and brother Michael Williams.

Preceding Gene in death are his parents George and Mable Williams; son Kenneth Williams; daughter Christine Friederichs; sister Monica Hirdler; brothers George (Buddy) Williams, Frank Williams, Jerry Williams, Jim Williams, John Williams, Pat Williams, and Ray Williams.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at St. Emily’s Catholic Church. A Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the Pine Ridge Cemetery in Emily. Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.