Theodore W. Williams

Theodore "Ted" Wayne Williams peacefully passed away in his home in the loving arms of his wife, Karen, on February 25, 2025. Ted was born on August 15, 1955, to Arville Frank Williams and Mildred Pauline (Pairet) Williams at Chanute AFB, Rantoul, Illinois.

Ted grew up loving "all things racing." He met all the guys who eventually became the "greats," like Cale Yarborough, Richard Petty, and Al Unser, when he worked on the pit crew for a friend of his in Covington, IN. He and another friend built a "Funny Car Drag Racer" and raced it for a while. Ted bought and restored vintage cars and was also a member of the Corvette Club.

Ted graduated from Rantoul HS in 1973. He enlisted in the United States Air Force Reserve in 1976.

He went on to work in finance in Champaign-Urbana when he was offered the position of regional manager covering a 7-state area. At the same time, Ted was also working to build the Amway business, which provided him the freedom to fulfill his dream of becoming a self-employed businessman.

Ted moved to southern Illinois and then to Indiana to continue to pursue his dream. He received his real estate license and also opened his own car dealership to sell cars, which he purchased at the surrounding auto auctions. He met many wonderful people with whom he remained friends up until the time of his passing.

On December 11, 2012, Ted married Karen E (Karst) Ehinger, the love of his life. Many of their favorite memories together were at The Don Cesar, St Petersburg, FL. They also loved to travel to the east side of the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee and had hoped to build a home there. They lived many happy years together.

Ted is survived by his wife, Karen, his mother Mildred P "Polly" Williams, his sister Cris D Teague, his son Adam M Williams (Alishia), and his daughter Lisa D Martin (Dave). Also surviving are grandchildren, nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, great aunts and uncles of whom are still living in Oklahoma and more cousins than I could even count.

Ted comes from a large, loving family who loves to celebrate milestones and holidays together, often ending up playing card games and dominoes for hours.

He is preceded in death by his father Arville F “Willie” Williams, and brother-in-law James R Teague. 

Memorial gifts are suggested to Gleaners Food Bank.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Eric MD Bell Funeral Home and Cremation Services.