Howard "Lee" Williams

Howard “Lee” Williams, age 88, of Mankato, passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2025.

Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church, Mankato. There will be time immediately following services to visit with the family.

Memorials preferred to the First Presbyterian Church library, Blue Earth County Historical Society, or Scouting America, Twin Valley Council.

Lee was born on March 21, 1936 to Howard and Fern (Snure) Williams in Mankato. Lee graduated from Mankato State with a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, and Business Administration. He married Carol Mae (Chesley) Williams on June 8, 1958 at Beaver Creek Presbyterian Church. Lee was a fourth-generation business owner in Mankato.

Lee served for eight years in the Minnesota Navy Reserve. He was the president of Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents Association, a member of Mankato Kiwanis Club, President of Mankato Area Chamber of Commerce, President of Twin Valley Council of Boy Scouts, and a lifelong supporter of Blue Earth County Historical Society. Lee was a Glenwood Cemetery board member, Minnesota volunteer master gardener, and a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church, Mankato.

Lee is survived by his children, Todd Williams and wife Karla, Laura (Williams) Heinze and husband Tim; grandchildren, Bryan Williams and wife Rebecca, Evan Williams and wife Hannah, Erinn (Heinze) Breeggamann and husband Steve, Tyler Heinze, Travis Heinze, and Trenton Heinze; great-grandchildren, Brynn, Evelynn, and Hudson Williams; sisters-in-law, Joan Chesley and Ruth (Chesley) Kingery; niece, nephew, and cousins.

Lee was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Carol; parents, and sister, Julie (Williams) and husband Ted Miller.