Gerald Lee “Bill” Williams, age 72, of Jackson, Ohio, passed away on Monday, May 20, 2019 at his home surrounded by family. He recently accepted the Lord as his Savior and was baptized by his best friend and pastor, Bob Jones. He was born on Dec. 5, 1946, son of the late Everett and Ruth Williams of Wellston, Ohio.
He was a former Wellston Rockets football star, also known as “Wild Bill Williams”. Bill enjoyed golfing, deer hunting, mowing grass, and working on his dump truck. He loved his family and thought of them as his greatest accomplishment.
Bill was a member of the Wellston High School Class of 1966 and a Vietnam War veteran of the United States Army. He was a retired, self-employed truck driver of 45 years.
Bill enjoyed drinking coffee, smoking cigarettes, and making surprise visits to his loved ones’ homes. He also loved watching his children and grandchildren play sports.
Bill is survived by his wife of 47 years, Ann (Leach) Williams; one perfect son, Gerald (Tracy) Williams; three daughters: Valerie (Brad) Erwin, Shelley (Michael) Webb, and Casey (Rodney) Campbell; 13 grandchildren: Lissa (Williams) McCracken and Brock and Bella Williams, Landon, Lane, and Lynlee Erwin, Codey Haynes and Lexie, Haley and Gabby Webb, and Maddie, Boston, and Palmer Campbell; four great-grandchildren: Connor, Hailee, and Brogan McCracken and Charleigh Ray; and special friend and caregiver, Dean Gillum.
Bill was preceded in death by his mother- and father-in-law, Douglas and Marie Leach; brothers, Joe and Larry Williams; sister, Deloris “Sis” Manring; brothers-in-law, Alan and Lewis Leach; nephews, Scotty Lambert and Chris Williams; and niece, Allie Williams. He is also survived by brothers, Bob (Carol) and Carl (Brenda) Williams and sister, Sharon (Jo) Hutchinson; along with several nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and his beloved pets, Pretty Girl Renee and Livey Kay Williams.
Funeral services will be held at the Lewis & Gillum Funeral Home of Jackson on Thursday, May 23, 2019 at 1 p.m. with Pastor Bob Jones officiating. Burial will follow in Byer Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, May 22, 2019 from 5 to 9 p.m. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lewisgillum.com. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that blood donations be made to the American Red Cross to give back for the many blood transfusions Bill received throughout his lifetime.