SFC Thomas McWilliams

SFC Thomas Glen McWilliams, age 44, of Lamar, passed away Sunday, January 8, 2012 at his home following a courageous battle with cancer.      Thomas was born November 14, 1967, at Lamar and graduated from Lamar High School in 1986.  He enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard February 6, 1987, was deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 and was awarded a Bronze Star. Thomas was currently a full-time  Operation NCO at Camp Crowder as well as working as a self-employed carpenter.  He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed deer and turkey hunting and fishing, especially if it included sharing the experience with his children.  His greatest love was his family and he was looking forward to the birth of his first grandson, Eli Thomas McWilliams, in March.        On June 1, 1990, at Lamar, Thomas married Mary Elizabeth Grayson and she survives of the home.  Also surviving are his son, Michael Thomas McWilliams of the home; daughters, Libby of Lamar & her husband Rusty Mulvaney currently serving in Afghanistan; and Rachel Noel McWilliams of the home; his parents, Don & Pearl McMurray, Lamar; a brother, Tim McWilliams, Lamar; two sisters, Moritta & her husband Michael Matlock, Springdale, Arkansas and Milinda & her husband Todd Brittain, Webb City; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Franz & Loretta Penner, Lamar; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Doug & Tina Penner, Lamar and Bob & Cheryl Raines, Nevada;  Kathy Penner, Lamar, and Robin & Rick Spencer, Cheyenne, Wyoming; and a large extended family.  Tom was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Verl and Troy Burchell.       The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 11th at Daniel Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 12th at the funeral home.  Full military honors will be conducted at the grave site.        Memorial contributions are suggested to a scholarship fund for the McWilliams children in care of Daniel Funeral Home.