Claude Burson Williams, Sr. Obituary (1935 - 2008)

Dr. Claude Burson Williams, Sr. of Madisonville, Kentucky died at 9:15 A.M. Thursday, April 10, 2008] at VNA Charliere Hospice in Evansville, IN. He was born January 4, 1935 in Greenville, Alabama to the late Claude Eugene Williams and Elliece Burson Williams. \ \ Dr. Williams was a 1953 graduate of Pineapple High School, Pineapple, Alabama, where he played on the basketball and baseball teams. He attended the University of Alabama and was a 1961 graduate of the Auburn University School of Veternary Medicine. He moved from Alabama to Madisonville in 1961 where he built the Animal Medical Center in Madisonville. He later built The Animal Hospital in Henderson, Kentucky where he lived for a number of years. Following his retirement in 1998, Dr. Williams returned to Madisonville. He was a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association, Madisonville Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club, Elks Club, Madisonville Country Club and Henderson Country Club. \ \ He was also a member of the First Christian Church of Madisonville where he served as a deacon. His hobbies included horseback field trials, golf and sports of all kinds. He was an avid bridge player and a Silver Life Master of the American Contract Bridge League with over 1,800 match points earned. \ \ Dr. Williams is survived by three sons: Hayden Eugene Williams and wife, Kerrie, of Boerne, Texas, Blake Boyd Williams and wife, Donna, of Tallahasse, Florida and Ryan Christopher Williams of London, England; and five grandchildren, Amber and Brandy Williams of Ozark, Alabama, Taylor and Payton Williams of Boerne, Texas and Haley Williams of Tallahassee, Florida. He was preceeded in death by one son, Claude Burson Williams, Jr., in 1996. \ \ The funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, April 12, 2008 at Barnett-Strother Funeral Home in Madisonville with Dr. Donald B. Davis officiating, assisted by Reverend Don McLaughlin. Burial will follow in Oddfellows Cemetery in Madisonville. Visitation will be from 12:30 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. Saturday at Barnett-Strother Funeral Home. \ \ Memorial contributions may take the form of donations to: \ The Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research, 106 Towerview Court, Cary, NC 27513. \ \