Loy A. Williams

Loy A. Williams, age 83, of Geneva, passed away Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at Delnor Hospital in Geneva.

He was born October 19, 1941, in Dallas, Texas, the son of Carl Woodley and Nancy Ruth (Gardner) Williams.

Loy was raised in Dallas. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from SMU and a Master of Theology from Perkins School of Theology.  At SMU, Loy met the love of his life, Linda and they had 53 wonderful years together before her death in 2017.  On campus, Loy led demonstrations for civil rights and protested segregation. Loy was chairman of the SMU Social Action Committee and met with Dr. Martin Luther King. In March 1965 Loy coordinated student participation in the march on Selma and fed on-the-ground updates to Dallas radio stations. While Dr. King, Jr., was leading the march leaving Selma for Birmingham, Loy received a telegram from Dr. King, Jr., saying “Come to Montgomery and bring everyone you can.”  Loy rented and filled a 65 passenger Greyhound bus which he and other students took to Montgomery to join the march.

Loy received his master’s in social work from University of Iowa. Loy and Linda moved to Geneva in 1975. Loy was a pastor at Fox Valley Presbyterian Church from 1978 through 2021. Loy was the first director of counseling for Tri City Family Services and is a past president of the Rotary Club. He loved sailing, mountain climbing and achieved his childhood dream of flying by earning his private pilot’s license. In 2019, Loy married Pam Lurz of Geneva who has been by his side ever since. Loy was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend and will be dearly missed. Loy lived by the scripture, “And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” 

Loy is survived by Pamela Lurz; son Carl Randolph (Sarah Reddick Smith) and grandson Sutton Woodley Williams all of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands; and many other dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Ruth Lee, and wife Linda.

Memorial service for Loy will be held Friday, February 7, 2025 at 11:00 am at Fox Valley Presbyterian Church, 227 East Side Drive, Geneva with Stephanie Anthony officiating with a brief visitation preceding the service from 9:00 am – 11:00 am. A luncheon will follow the service in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Fox Valley Presbyterian Church, 227 East Side Drive, Geneva, Illinois 60134 would be appreciated.

Arrangements handled by Malone Funeral Home 630-232-8233 or visit malonefh.com.

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