East Middle School seventh grader Zach Williams, 12, killed in tornado

Death struck East Middle School one week ago as the tornado that ripped through Joplin took the life of seventh grader Zach Williams.

I was never lucky enough to have Zach in my class. That would have happened this fall.

The obituary information below is taken from the Bradford Funeral Home website.


Zachary Allen Williams was born June 19, 1998 at Fort Leonard Wood Memorial Community Hospital in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri to Franklin Eugene Williams and Tammy Renee Clark Niederhelman. He lost his life in the tornado at Joplin, Missouri, Sunday evening, May 22, 2011 making his age 12 years 11 months and 3 days.


Zach was a student at East Middle School in Joplin where he attended the 7th grade. He attended the Calvary Baptist Church in Joplin. Zach was a happy person who would strike up a conservation with anyone. He enjoyed hot wheel cars, legos, riding his bike, and spending time with his friends. He was looking forward to his summer vacation, so he could spend more time with family and read more of his favorite books.

He is preceded in death by his great grandpa’s, Howard Jackson and R.L. Clark, great great grandfather Pearl Jaco, great grandmother Maxine Clark, great great grandmother Gladys Jaco.

Zach is survived by his mother Tammy Niederhelman and husband Tony of Joplin, Missouri; his father Frank Williams and wife Valerie of Mayesville, North Carolina, brother Andy Williams of Mayesville, North Carolina, grandparents Earnest and Kathy Clark of Summersville, Missouri; grandparents Jim and Kathleen Williams of Summersville, Missouri, Helen and Frank Jones of Terre Haute, Indiana; great grandmother Lillie Jackson of Summersville, MO, uncle’s and aunt’s, Chad and Billie Clark and children, Austin and Brittani and future son-in-law Levi of Nesho, MO, Jim Williams of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Warren Williams and wife Vicki of St. Louis, Missouri, Cindy Heller Springfield, Missouri, several great uncles and aunts, cousins and friends.

Memorial Services will be held Monday, May 30, 2011 at 1 Pm at Bradford Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Gary Jackson officiating. Visitation will begin at 11 AM on Monday until service time at 1PM. Arrangements under the care of Bradford Funeral Home of Summersville.