Henry Williams was born August 4,1919 in Brookfield, MO, the son of Harley James and Josephine (Tooey) Williams. He married Martha Clair Devoy on June 4,1947, and they were proud parents of three children, all BHS graduates and devoted Brookfield residents. Henry graduated from BHS in 1937 and was president of his class. Following graduation, he immediately went to work in the family clothing business. Henry served in the US Army Air force during World War II from 1942-1945, in North Africa. Returning to Brookfield in 1945, he again began working in the H. Tooey mercantile Company. After his father’s retirement he assumed the position of president of the corporation. This corporation is the oldest retail establishment in the community. It was incorporated in the state of Missouri in 1902 and is still in business today on North Main Street of Brookfield. Henry was very proud of and active in the Brookfield community serving as president of the Brookfield Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Pershing Memorial Hospital board, served as vice president and president of the Brookfield Carnegie Library board, and was a member of the Industrial Development Authority. He was on the United Missouri Bank board and served on the Brookfield County Club board as president for numerous terms. Henry was a member of the Steering Committee for the Brookfield Centennial celebration and Quasquicentennial. He was a devout member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Parish Council member and a 4th Degree member of Knights of Columbus. He was active in the Elks Lodge, Brookfield Lions club, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was posthumously honored by the local 4-H for his many years service as a livestock judge at the F-H fair. Henry was a pillar of the Brookfield community until his death July 2,1988.