In Memory of Michael H. Williams

Michael H. Williams, age 73, of Kenosha, Wisconsin (formerly of Odebolt, Iowa) passed away on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at his residence.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 15, 2025 at the First Presbyterian Church of Odebolt, Iowa. Rev. Kevin J. Freese will officiate. Committal services will follow in the Odebolt Cemetery of Odebolt, Iowa. A Visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 15, 2025, at the First Presbyterian Church of Odebolt, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Michael Harold Williams, also known as “Mike” or “Willy”, the son of John R. “Jack” and Mertie L. (Bell) Williams, was born on January 28, 1952, in Topeka, Kansas. He grew up in Odebolt, Iowa and attended Odebolt-Arthur High School. While in high school, Mike was chosen to attend the American Legion Boys State at Camp Dodge in Des Moines, Iowa. He was also an exchange student for two weeks to Wyoming working on a farm through the high school FFA program. He then went on to attend Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa.

Mike spent 10 years working for the railroad before becoming a dealer for 3M Corporation, a role he held for 14 years. He then transitioned to retail sales in Des Moines, later returning to 3M as a representative based in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he worked for 16 years. Before retiring in 2016, Mike served as a Territory Manager for Energy Control Products for 11 years.

A love of the water eventually led Mike to owning a sport fishing operation and the title of Master Captain. Hunting and fishing were Mike’s favorite hobbies. It all started growing up on the farm, fishing in the farm pond for bullheads which later developed into owning his own boat and charter business on Lake Michigan out of Kenosha. He made several trips to the Northwest Territories and one trip to the Arctic Circle. Hunting took him all over North America and on several trips to South Africa and South America as Mike was an adventurous person.

Mike was a past member of the First Presbyterian Church of Odebolt and a current member of the Journey Church in Kenosha. He was also a member of Moose Lodge and Kenosha Sportfishing Club. 

Left to cherish his memory include his uncle Charles “Chuck” and aunt Barb Williams of White Bear Lake, MN; aunt Beverly Leahy of Cedar Falls, IA; cousins Kevin Brugman of Aurelia, IA, Jean and Mark Wiesner of Estes Park, CO, Jason and Kimberly Wirka of White Bear Lake, MN, Courtney Williams of Berkeley, CA, John and Dana Leahy of Urbandale, IA, Paul and Kelly Leahy of Osage Beach, MO; extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Mertie Williams; maternal and paternal grandparents; and uncle Bob Leahy.