DONALD RALPH WILLIAMS,

a businessman who co-founded Construction Machinery of Arkansas (ConMark), died Sunday April 28, 2024, following a lengthy illness.

Williams was born at home in Longview, Texas on June 22, 1935. He had lived in Little Rock for a half-century but considered himself a “lifelong Texan.” He was the son of Christine and Barney Williams.

He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas and earned a BBA from Southern Methodist University. On his 21st birthday he moved to Pittsburgh, Pa., and entered the training program for Jones and Laughlin Steel Corp. It was there that he met Craig Wood, who became a close friend and business partner.

He met Helen Benton at SMU and they were married in 1957, settling for a time in Tulsa. In 1970, Williams and Wood moved to Little Rock and founded Con Mark. The business thrived and was expanded throughout the state.

He is survived by his wife Helen; children, Jenifer (Dale), Wesley (Lynli), and Claire (Colin); and his daughter-in-law, Paula. He was preceded in death by his son (Paula’s husband), Benton.

Other survivors include brother, Doyle (Audrey); sisters-inlaw, Ruth Hill and Martie Benton; grandchildren, Zach (Emily), Galen, Abby (Tyler), Emily, Anna (Tanner), Tristam, and Milo; great-grandchild, Zoe.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, where Williams was a member for more than 50 years.

A memorial service will be conducted at FUMC by senior pastor David Freeman on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 2 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com.