Bert Williams, age 96 of Farwell, Texas, died on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 in Lubbock, Texas. He was born on March 10, 1927 to Johnie and Beulah (Stone) Williams. He married LaMoin Jones on May 28, 1948 in Roswell, New Mexico.
Bert moved to the West Camp community with his family when he was three years old. He began farming walking behind his dad’s mules. He graduated from Farwell High School in 1944 and after serving in the Merchant Marines, started farming full time. Bert and his dad, Johnie, were among the first farmers in the area to drill water wells for irrigation. Bert began with 357 rented acres in 1947 and drilled a water well which flowed 1200 gallons a minute. With water, average cotton and grain sorghum yields doubled and tripled. He was among the first area farmers to install underground pipe from the wells to the fields and gated pipe for flowing water down the furrows. In the early 70’s he installed his first self-propelled center-pivot sprinkler system which enabled him to be able to switch from grain sorghum to corn because it required more water.
Bert became more interested in farm organizations and politics once his sons took over some of the farming. He has made many trips to Washington DC and Austin lobbying on behalf of farmers. He had a strong belief in the value of being involved in farm organizations and politics. He served on the Plains Cotton Growers Association board for many years and was a delegate to the National Cotton Council. He served on the board of the Texas Corn Producers from 1984 to 2004. He helped to organize the American Corn Growers Association. He was an avid reader of publications dealing with religion, farming, and world affairs.
After his retirement, Bert and LaMoin enjoyed traveling with their Newmar motorhome club all over the United States. Bert was a member of First Baptist Church of Farwell. He is preceded in death by his wife, LaMoin; two sons, Barry Williams and Eric Williams; his parents; and two sisters, Flora Lee Anderson and JoAnn Liethen.
Bert is survived by his son, Mark Williams and his wife, Joyce of Farwell, Texas; his two daughters, LeeAnn Blackford and her husband, Jim of Knoxville, Tennessee and Tracy Devault and her husband, Kendall of Farwell, Texas; his two daughters-in-law, Susan Williams of Lubbock, Texas and Deb Williams of Texico, New Mexico; his 16 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great- grandchildren.
The family suggests memorials be sent to First Baptist Church Farwell, PO Box 129, Farwell, Texas, 79325 or Farwell Education Foundation, PO Box F, Farwell, Texas, 79325.