GREENFIELD
Thomas Earl Quitman Williams, 80, passed away peacefully, at Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, on March 8, 2024, in Indianapolis, Indiana, with his loving family by his side.
Thomas was born on February 18, 1944, in Greenfield Indiana, to John Thomas and Dorothy June Williams.
Thomas graduated from Greenfield High School as the class salutatorian and later attended Yale University, where he obtained a degree in American Studies. After college, Thomas served in the United States Army and attended Intelligence Officer School. He was stationed in Korea and commanded a military unit that patrolled the Demilitarized Zone for incursions. Thomas remained in the Army Reserves after his tour of duty and attained the rank of Colonel. After an honorable discharge, Thomas graduated from IUPUI Law School and opened a law office in Greenfield, Indiana. In later years he studied theology at the Christian Theological Seminary.
Thomas married Sara Jane Pasco and later divorced. Thomas and Sara had two children, Emily Williams and William HHR Williams. In later years, Thomas lived in his family home and was cared for by his son Billy and granddaughter Samantha.
Thomas was deeply involved in his community and church. He was a member of the Hancock County Historical Society, Hancock County Democrats, Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen, Celebrate Recovery, Greenfield Christian Church, and Brandywine Community Church.
Thomas was a dedicated scholar and chronicler of the history of Hancock County, carrying on the work of his beloved mother Dorothy June Williams, with whom he wrote a weekly historical column in the Daily Reporter. Of his many books about local history, a favorite was James Whitcomb Riley, The Poet as Flying Islands of the Night, a book he dedicated to his mother. While studying theology at the Christian Theological Seminary, he developed a passion for translating the bible using “Koine Greek,” the language of the people he often called the “humble folk.” Another book he was particularly proud of is American Folk Gospel which combines his love of the ancient texts with stories of Hancock County history.
Thomas was devoted to serving the people of his hometown, Greenfield. He worked as a defense attorney and focused on poverty law. He believed strongly that all people deserved the right to the law, regardless of their economic status. He was a lifelong Democrat and ran for Hancock County Prosecutor. He served on the board of directors for the Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen, housed in his former law office. In his free time, Thomas loved to travel. He was particularly fond of the Greek Islands. A visit to Patmos, where the apostle John was exiled and wrote the book of Revelations, was particularly meaningful to him.
Thomas is survived by his daughter, Emily Williams, her husband, Matt Rosenthal, and their three children, Oscar, Yeabnesh, and Troyce, his son, Billy Williams, and his children, Samantha Williams and Tyson Williams, as well as his brother, Jack Williams, and sisters, Diana Hansen and Elise Teagle. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Thomas and Dorothy June Williams, his sister, Rosemary Steiner, and his brother, Danny Williams.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 10 a.m. at the Greenfield Christian Church – Disciples of Christ, 23 N. East Street, Greenfield, IN 46140, under the direction of Merlyn Winters. You are invited to join the family to proceed to the final resting place, at Park Cemetery, Greenfield, IN.
Memorial contributions may be made to Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen in honor of Thomas E. Williams.
