Joe Edward Williams, civic leader, businessman, Navy veteran, horseman, and devoted family man, was born on May 16, 1931, in Yarnaby, Oklahoma, and passed away on September 7, 2026, surrounded by those he loved.

Joe was the third son of James Howard Williams and Rebecca Edith LaFevers Williams. He moved with his family to Tulsa in 1942, where he attended Lowell Elementary School, Lowell Junior High, and Central High School. Joe became a businessman at a very early age, throwing two paper routes, contracting others to unload trucks at the Farmers Market, and working as an usher at Tulsa's Delman Theatre. These early business endeavors set the stage for his successful contracting business years to come.

At the age of 17, Joe enlisted in the Unites States Navy, serving from 1948 to 1953. He completed boot camp in San Diego, California and served aboard the battleship USS Mississippi and the heavy cruiser USS Des Moines. During his service, he participated in goodwill tours throughout the Mediterranean, including France, Sicily, and Italy. Joe completed his Navy service honorably in May 1953.

After returning home, Joe briefly worked for Western Electric and Ajax Electric before founding American Electric Contractors Company in 1959. He built the company into a respected business providing residential, commercial, and multi-family electrical services throughout Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas. Joe actively led the company for over 50 years until his retirement in 2011 and was also an accomplished builder of homes and apartment complexes.

Joe's dedication to community service found its fullest expression through public office. He served on the Bixby City Council from 1989 to 2009 and was elected the Mayor of Bixby for 14 years. Known for his integrity, persistence, and collaborative spirit, Joe played a pivotal role in shaping modern Bixby and the surrounding region.

His many accomplishments in his civic duty as Mayor included spearheading the installation of the 918 area code and toll-free local calling throughout the Tulsa Metropolitan area; helping fund over $47 million in flood control projects including the Fry Ditch Improvements; leading major street, sewer, and infrastructure improvements throughout Bixby; playing a key role in the passage of Vision 2025; helping secure funding for the David L. Moss Correctional Center; advocating for major road expansions; and supporting the development of community assets such as the Bixby Community Center and Bentley Sports Park.

Joe believed deeply in regional cooperation and was widely respected across the city, county and state lines for his ability to bring people together in service of the greater good. In recognition of his leadership, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of fame for City and Town Officials in 2008.

Joes' life was also guided by his faith. He was an active member of the Baptist Church and the Church of Christ, where he and his family played an instrumental role in the establishment of the Southern Hills Church of Christ.

Outside public life, Joe found his greatest joy with his family and his horses. He was a lifetime member of the American Quarter Horse Association and spent much of his life breeding, raising and training champion Quarter Horses. Whether working on a project, mentoring others, playing practical jokes, or spending time with loved ones, Joe brought steadiness, determination, and laughter to all he did.

Joe is survived by his wife, Deanna Karen (Waldrip) Williams; two daughters, Deanna Lynn Coberly and Pamela Jean Williams; his granddaughter, Cadence Jo Coberly.

Joe's legacy lives on in the city he helped build, in the generosity he showed to those less fortunate, in the lives he touched through decades of service and leadership and most of all, in the family he loved. His was a life of purpose, hard work and laughter...a life that left his corner of the world better than he found it.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites those who wish to honor Joe's legacy to donate to the charity or organization of their choice.

Family will receive friends on from 6:00PM - 8:00PM Monday, September 14, 2026 at the Moore Southlawn Chapel, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Funeral Services will be 2:00PM Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at the Memorial Park Cemetery, Chapel of the Saints Valley. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, Tulsa, Oklahoma.