Rue B. Williams, Jr., 85, U.S. Navy Veteran, passed away at his home with his loved ones at his side Sunday, October 20, 2024.

Rue was born to Rue B. and Nina Eloise (McMichael) Williams in Magnolia, MS on March 23, 1939.  The family moved to Sand Springs, OK in 1949 where he graduated from high school in 1957.  As fate would have it, his family came to Sand Springs the same year that his future wife and her family moved to the area from Mobile, AL.  Both sets of parents relocated to Sand Springs for employment with the Commander Mills cotton mill, where they all remained employed until the mill closed in 1962.

Rue joined the U.S. Navy on July 1, 1957.  Although he was in the Navy, he was never stationed aboard a ship.  He served on transport aircraft, including even a dirigible (blimp)! His entire navy career was spent stationed at air force bases.  He was honorably discharged on March 31, 1961, as an E-4, ATN3.

In the fall of 1961, he fortuitously met his bride-to-be as he was driving with his brother-in-law Willie, in Rue's 1956 blue and white Ford convertible.  Willie spotted Greta with her long hair, walking with a friend.  Her friend had convinced her to take a walk and get an ice cream, though she had only a short break from her job. She was holding and enjoying a banana split, until fate decided to intervene.  As she and Rue visited for the first time, Greta's ice cream melted, right along with both their hearts.  They fell in love and were married June 16, 1962, in Sand Springs.  They had two sons, Jim and John, and a daughter Michele.

Rue began working at Southwest Porcelain in Sand Springs, leaving for employment with North American Rockwell in Tulsa.  While working for Rockwell, he was proud to be a part of the Apollo 9 space mission at Cape Canaveral.   Later he worked at Telex and C-E Invalco for several years before retiring.  Whatever job he was working, he had an unmatched work ethic that he instilled in his kids.  And he always had time to spend with his kids.  He faithfully attended all their events and even coached both boys' baseball teams at different times.

He and Greta attended the Sand Springs Church of the Nazarene for 56 years.  Even before he himself attended regularly, he encouraged and supported his wife and kids' attendance and participation at the church.

Rue was faithful to his God, loved his family, cared deeply for animals and worked tirelessly in his yard.

Survivors include his loving wife of 62 years, Greta; sons, Jim and wife Teresa, of Yukon, OK; Dr. John and wife Lisa, of Edmond; daughter, Michele Fraley, of Vinita; 7 grandchildren, Madison Hogan and husband Tyler, Seth Palmer, Hunter Fraley, Jayson Fraley, Lauren Fraley, Cole Williams, Jake Williams; great grandchildren, Hux and Maebry Hogan; two sisters, Beverly Snodgrass (Wendell) and Nelda Mead; 2 bonus grandchildren, Tiffany and Brian, and 4 bonus great grandchildren Madi, Jade, Gabe, and James.  He also leaves behind Blaize, his beloved dog of 12 years.

Rue was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Ruby; brothers-in-law Willie Russeff and Wayne Mead; and his fourteen-year companion Buddy cat.