Paul B. Williams, 86, a longtime Parsons resident, teacher and coach, died at 5:20 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011, at Elmhaven East. He had been in failing health.

He was born on Nov. 3, 1925, at Commerce, Okla., to Carl and Naomi (Mace) Williams. He grew up at Commerce and attended Commerce schools, graduating from Commerce High School in 1943. While in high school he was a standout football and basketball player. He was selected to play in the all-state football game and was on the Tulsa World’s all state team.

He served in the United States Navy during World War II on two vessels, the Sicard DD346 and the LSM(R) 404 in both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

After his service he attended NEO A&M Junior College at Miami in 1949 and Pittsburg State in 1951, from which he graduated with a bachelor of science in education. He received his master’s degree in 1953 and a second master’s degree in biology in 1957.

He came to Parsons in 1953 and taught math and science classes. He also coached football, basketball and track teams. He retired in 1987. At the time of his retirement Williams received special recognition for never taking a day of sick leave during his 34 years of teaching and coaching. Following his retirement, he continued to work part time for the Parsons school district as a van driver, delivering mail and food to elementary schools. He was also the announcer in football and scorekeeper in boys and girls games for the middle school.

Mr. Williams was an avid sports fan. He enjoyed attending the high school and college sporting events. He also enjoyed watching sports on T.V. He was a longtime faithful member of the Wesley United Methodist Church, where he taught adult Sunday school classes and served on many church committees. He was also a member of the National Education Association, the Kansas State Teachers Association and the Parsons Teachers Association, where he served as president.

He married Beverly Palmer on Aug. 16, 1952, at the Spring Valley United Methodist Church in rural Parsons. In 2002 they observed their 50th wedding anniversary. She survives in their home.

Other survivors include a son, Richard Williams (a professor at the University of Tennessee at Martin) and his wife, Rose, of Nashville, Tenn.; a daughter, Kay Lynne Dahmer of Pittsburg; three grandchildren, Karl Dahmer, Walter Dahmer and Thomas Williams; and two sisters, Elaine Bachmann of Festus, Mo., and Sharon Engle of Great Bend.

He was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters.

The service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Wesley United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Memorial Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home.

Memorials are suggested to the Wesley United Methodist Church Scholarship Fund and these may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, 112 N. 26th St., P.O. Box 942, Parsons, 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.