Ellis Williams, Jr.,

1925 - 2011

Passed away July 1st at Memorial Hermann Hospital; Born December 14, 1925, Texarkana, Texas, to parents Ellis Williams of Yoakum, Texas, and Frieda Johanna Meitzen of Halletsville, Texas. He was the great-great-great-great nephew of General Sam Houston.

Moved to Houston (West University Place) in 1928. Worked at the family business University Press in West University, Texas, graduated Lamar High School 1942, worked in engineering dept of EM Smith Co, which became Continental Emsco beginning 1942. Served on the General Sturgis while in the Navy in WWII, studied mechanical engineering at Univ of Colorado and Univ of Houston, was a primary designer of oilfield equipment, more specifically mud pumps for Emsco, Ideco, Brewster, Skytop, LeTourneau, and most recently Weatherford. Founded Ellis Williams Company (EWCO and EWECO) in 1975. Texas Registered Professional Engineer since 1961, was installed as a Fellow, ASME in 1988, authored numerous patents, and specifications for API. He was a longtime member of NOMADS. His engineering career continued through 2010. He was a loving Father, Grandfather, and Great Grandfather who believed his family came first and his engineering career a very close second. He was an avid cyclist, and participated in numerous group bicycle tours all over the world. He enjoyed golfing. He was a scoutmaster and president of Houston Bicycle Club. He loved all things mechanical. His generous gift to others was his huge engineering knowledge.

He is survived by his wife Vanda Richey Williams, children Michael and Shirley Williams, Andrea Claire (Bebe) and Larry Scott, Jeffrey Cass Williams, grandchildren Jason Christopher Williams, Carrie Elisabeth Williams, Sarah Michele Williams, Lisa Kelly Williams, Cory Scott, Travis Reagan Scott, Chesley Ian Williams, and great grandchildren Joshua Ellis Williams, Kaitlyn Marie Scott and Andrew Christian Ethridge. Ellis Williams loved his church, St Lukes United Methodist and was a member of the Hines Baker Sunday School class. He was a very loving and kind person to all who had the great pleasure of meeting him and working with him. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to USO of Houston, Inc., 14657 Sneider St., Bldg 1057, Ste 250, Houston Tx. 77034 or St. Lukes UMC, P.O. Box 22013, Houston, Tx. 77227-2013.

Services at St Lukes Methodist Chapel, Wednesday July 06, at 2:00 PM with reception at the church thereafter. Burial service at Bethel Cemetery 9 miles South of Henderson at 12:00 Noon on Thursday.

Published in Houston Chronicle on July 5, 2011