The family and friends of John E. Williams remember him as a gentle, honest and conscientious man of great integrity. He was a naturally-gifted engineer. He would lend a hand to anyone who needed his time and expertise. And he devoted his time generously to the communities he loved: The Coast Guard Auxiliary, Scouting, the Waterford Senior Center, neighbors and his fellow churchgoers.

John, age 82, passed away in Tarpon Springs on Thursday, December 9, 2010 with his wife Helen at his side. John was born February 20, 1928, the first of six children, to John James and Margaret (Rishor) Williams in Miller, South Dakota. He is survived by sisters Yvonne, Yvette, Annette and brother Kenneth. His brother Keith is deceased.

John served in the U.S. Army from 1946-48, stationed in Tokyo, Japan where he met Toshiko Ono. They were married on July 8, 1950 after private legislation, passed by the 81^st Congress and signed by President Truman, granted special exemption from war-time restrictions still in effect that enabled them to marry. They had two sons, John (Teri McCracken) Williams, Robert (Elizabeth McKee) Williams and seven grandchildren: Anna, Rebekah (Bryan Smith), John, Joshua (Nicole Sobolak), Lisse, Christopher (deceased) and Emily. Toshiko passed away on October 16, 1992.

John completed his degree in Mechanical Engineering at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and in 1954 began a 33–year career as a fuel-systems engineer with the Rochester Products Division of General Motors. He retired in 1987 after leading many successful engineering projects and receiving multiple patents during his career. John had a natural talent for all things mechanical and cars in particular. In high school John worked in his father's Packard Motor Car dealership (a one-bay garage!) in Nisland, SD. He and brother Keith built and raced a stock car for two years on dirt tracks.

Despite growing up in the western Dakotas, John developed a great love of sailing, building two sailboats himself and sharing his love of the water by taking family and many friends on sailing cruises on Lake St. Claire. John’s love of the water also included more than 15 years service in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. As a member of Flotilla 14-18, 9^th Coast Guard District he received many awards, was certified as a Coxswain (boat commander) and served as a Flotilla Staff Officer/Career Counselor. John also spent almost 40 years as a troop leader in the Boy Scouts of America, seeing his son Bob achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. He volunteered many hours at the Waterford Senior Center.

On February 17, 1996 John and Helen Douglas (Deason) were married in Waterford, MI. They have enjoyed their seasonal trips between homes in Waterford, MI and Tarpon Springs, FL. John is remembered for his gentle spirit and patience helping others master the many skills that came to him naturally: as an engineer, a sailor and a quiet leader who gave his time generously. Cremation has taken place in Tarpon Springs.

John M. Williams and Robert E. Williams