Orval Trustin Williams, Odessa, (1900-1989)

Orval Williams was one of the leading breeders of Milking Shorthorn cattle in the state and nation from 1930 until his retirement in 1973. He was born in 1900 at Lexington, MO. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Henry Williams, farmers at Lexington. He attended school in Lexington and was a graduate of the University of Missouri­ Columbia.

He was married in 1923 to Minnie Thurman, Wellington, MO. They had two children, Virginia Bishop, Odessa, now retired, and a son Norman Williams, who farms and operates the Williams farm of some 400 acres. He is a dairymen and a breeder of registered Milking Shorthorns and Red and White cattle.

Orval Williams began his career as a breeder of Milking Shorthorns with 12 head and he purchased his first registered Shorthorns in 1930. He built a herd of 100 herd. The herd averaged 12,000 lbs of milk and 480 lbs of butterfat. His first cows were milked by hand in a stanchion barn. He sold Grade A milk in Sibley, MO. He started showing his cattle at the Missouri State Fair in 1938 and a National Shows in 1950. He was the breeder of many national champions including the Grand Champion Female and two Reserve National Champions. He also had two National Grand Champion bulls.

He showed the national champion Get-of-Sire for six years and the National Produce of Dam for two years and the National Three Best Females for three years. At the height of his career he showed six different Grand Champion Cows at six different fairs. He was the Premier Breeder and Exhibitor at National Shows for years. He was also the breeder of the National Butterfat producer for years.

For years Mr. Williams sold cattle throughout the United States and Canada and exported animals to several foreign countries. He was a Charter Member of the American Milking Shorthorn Society and regularly served as a delegate from Missouri. He helped to organize the Missouri Milking Shorthorn Society and was the secretary for 12 years and president for six years. His leadership contributed to the success of both the Missouri and the National Milking Shorthorn Society. He retired at the age of 73 in 1973 and sold his herd and farm to his son Norman who continues, the herd and farming operations.