Don Lester Williams

Obituary Don Lester Williams, age 74, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away, Sunday, January 28, 2018. Don Lester was born April 14, 1943, in Carrollton, Missouri to James Lester Williams and Minnie Kathryn (Martin) Williams. Don Lester was preceded in death by his parents, James Lester and Minnie Kathryn Williams. Don married Linda (Carter) Williams and to this union, two daughters were born. He later married Wanda (Patrick) Williams and to this union, two daughters were born. On April 1, 2001, Don Lester married Tenzing Whooper who held his hand at passing. Don Lester was christened Catholic at an early age in Chillicothe, Missouri. Later in life he attended Saint Louis Catholic Church in Kansas City, Missouri. Don Lester graduated from Chillicothe High School, Chillicothe, Missouri in 1961. After graduating from high school, Don Lester joined the United States Air Force and went on to be stationed in the Philippines during the Vietnam War. He attended junior college in Trenton, Missouri before moving to Kansas City in 1966. He then attended UMKC and went on to receive an Associate Degree. Later, to help people, while in his 60s, he returned to UMKC to study Substance Abuse Counseling. Don Lester was active in many things throughout his life. He joined the Kansas City Missouri Police Department as one of the City’s first African American Motorcycle Police Officers. After several years with the police department, he went to work for the United States Post Office until his retirement in 1981. Coming out of ‘retirement’, he embarked upon a number of other entrepreneurial endeavors ranging from a Café/Diner owner, Warehouse Worker to a Community Taxi Driver, long before Uber or Lyft. Don Lester always had a smile on his face. He enjoyed music, politics, his family, friends and the partaking of the recreational side of life. He had a lifelong love for motorcycles, even maintaining he was soon going to get another big Harley. He enjoyed his last ride about six months ago with the VFW, a trip he couldn’t stop talking about. Don will be remembered as one who loved life and lived it on his own terms. He was a “nut” but fiercely loyal to his family and friends. He was not afraid to voice his opinion, whether you liked it or not. Don Lester Williams leaves to mourn his passing, his wife Tenzing; four daughters: Shari Frazier, Dawn ‘Dondi’ Williams, LaTonya Wilhite, and Leslie Williams; step sons: Lamont Owens, Marc Smith (called ‘Squid’ by Don Lester), and Darryl Whopper; step daughter, Terrasiena Whooper; five grandchildren: Kayla Williams, Esq., Rozell Williams, Kalieb Williams, Kobe Williams, and Jalen Frazier; and a host of countless relatives and friends. Funeral Service for Don Lester Williams will be held Tuesday, February 6, 11:00 a.m. at the Lawrence A. Jones and Sons Funeral Chapel, 1800 E. Linwood Blvd. Visitation will be Monday, February 5, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Chapel. 2nd Visitation will be Tuesday, February 6, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the Chapel. Interment, 1:30 p.m. Leavenworth National Cemetery. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Don Lester Williams, please visit our floral store. Read More

Don Lester Williams

April 14, 1943 - January 28, 2018