Thomas Kenneth "Ken" Williams

Thomas Kenneth (“Ken”) Williams, 78, of Kannapolis went to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 28, 2022, at Tucker Hospice House following a period of declining health.

Ken was born December 9, 1943, in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, a son of the late Lawrence Miller Williams and Muriel Patricia Farrell Williams. Ken was preceded in death by a son Christopher Williams in 1972, and his brother Joseph Williams in 1978.

Funeral services to honor Ken’s life will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, June 2, 2022, at First Baptist Church of Kannapolis conducted by Rev. Tom Cabaniss. The family will receive friends in the church parlor one hour prior to the service. The Rotary Club and American Legion Post #115 will be seated in a group at the church. Interment will follow at Carolina Memorial Park with military honors.

Ken graduated A.L. Brown High School in 1962 and was a member of the Boys Scouts of America, earning the Eagle Scout award. He was a 1966 graduate of The Citadel, the military college of South Carolina, where he was a decorated member of the track team and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserves, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. His service included an overseas assignment in Germany where he met his wife Martha, a member of the United Service Organization (U.S.O.). Following active service, Ken returned to Kannapolis where he owned and operated Williams Office Supply, Inc. Ken was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Kannapolis, a member of the Kannapolis Rotary Club where he was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow, and a member of the American Legion Post 115.

Ken is survived by his wife, Martha Peckinpaugh Williams, and their children Matthew Williams and Meredith Sharp (Jess). Grandchildren are Davis Williams and June and Will Sharp. He is also survived by his sisters, Betty Lee (Dan) and Patricia Carter.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Cabarrus County,5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081 and First Baptist Church, 101 North Main Street,  Kannapolis, N.C. 28081.

Whitley’s Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Williams. Online condolences may be sent to www.whitleysfuneralhome.com.