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Zelos Newton “Zeke” Williams, 90, a resident of the Enon community, died Friday evening, Jan. 10, 2020, at his home, surrounded by his beloved family.

Zeke was a native of Winnsboro. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War, during which time he was stationed in Japan. Zeke received his bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from LSU and had a long career with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture. He was a soil conservationist and later retired as the District Director of Washington and St. Tammany Parishes.

Zeke was an avid LSU sports fan that loved to watch and listen to the Tigers football and baseball teams. He loved working in his yard and gardening and often had many different gardens that he worked near his home. Zeke was also an avid fisherman and always enjoyed fishing with his buddies Tommy Casanova, Frank Green and J.D. Breland.

He was a longtime member and Deacon of Enon Baptist Church, where he was currently a Deacon Emeritus. He loved his church family and always took pride in bringing his entire family to church, where as kids they all sat quietly on the same bench. Zeke was truly a people person and enjoyed visiting with all the folks he met. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather that cherished the quality time spent with his family.

He is survived by: his wife of 64 years, Marilyn Jamie Hooper Williams of Enon; three daughters and sons-in-law, Francine and Michael King of Prairieville, Cindy and Jimmy Pace, and Jeannie and Randy Tate, all of Enon; two sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Laurie Williams, and Alan and Julie Williams, all of Enon; 10 grandchildren and spouses, Christina and Joshua Rowley, Tiffany King, Ashley and Jason Burch, Adam and Megan Pace, Mary and Sean Strahan, Jake and Denelle Tate, Miranda and Jake Blackwell, Cole Williams and Harlie Knight, Siera Wiliams, and Oran Williams; 10 great-grandchildren, Emilia Rowley, Dillon Pace, Bradley Burch, Noah Burch, Silas Pace, Maggie Rose Pace, Kylan Montelaro, Sarah Strahan, River Blackwell, Beau Blackwell, and an expected great-granddaughter, Lana Grace Blackwell; sister, Jerry Slayter of Pineville; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Randy and Sharon Shirley of Winnsboro, David and JoEllen Shirley of Mangham, and Mary Frances and Emmitt Richardson of Winnsboro; and also numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Melinda Sue Williams; parents, Isaac Newton Williams and Myrtis Lott Williams; brother and sister-in-law, Robert Earl and Mary Sue Williams; brother-in-law, Joe Slayter; and a special uncle, Shirley “Jack” Lott.

Visitation was at Enon Baptist Church (14049 Highway 16 in Franklinton) on Tuesday, Jan. 14, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. A funeral service was held in the church at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, with the Rev. Chris Wheeler and the Rev. Dean Register officiating. Burial with military honors followed in the church cemetery.

The family wishes to express a sincere thank you to his caregivers through the years — Betty Sue Jones, Angie Fornea, and Toni Lemly, to Dr. Chris Foret and his nursing staff, and to Heritage Hospice for their support during these last months.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to the Enon Baptist Church Renovation Fund or its Blessing of the Food Fund.

Pallbearers were Adam Pace, Jake Tate, Cole Williams, Joshua Rowley, Joey Slayter and Jay Slayter. Honorary pallbearers were Jason Burch, Jake Blackwell, Fred Mizell, Oran Williams, Dillon Pace, Keith Casanova, Karl Casanova, Kirk Casanova, Terry Pittman, Samuel Richardson and the Deacons of Enon Baptist Church.

Obituaries can be viewed online at www.crainfh.com.