William Williams

William Paul Williams, 89 of Rockford, Ohio, formerly of Mendon, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 9, 2019, at the Laurels of Shane Hill in Rockford, surrounded by his loving family.  He was born in Van Wert County, Liberty Township, Ohio, on March 20, 1929. He was the son of Maurice Rutledge and Anna LaVerne (Lawrence) Williams. He attended school in Rockford and was a member of the Rockford United Methodist Church.  On April 29, 1950, he married his wife of almost 69 years, Barbara Adams, and she survives in Rockford. Bill lived his entire life in the area and worked at Continental Can in his early years. He then moved with Barb to the country, and began farming and also worked at the Elgin Grain Elevator.  He then worked at the Tama Elevator for many years, and then began working for Burch Seed in 1980, where he retired. He was an avid fisherman and every year looked forward to working in his large vegetable garden. He loved his boxer dog, Missy, and spent many enjoyable years with her by his side.  He loved spending time with his family, especially with his grandchildren.

Surviving in addition to his wife Barbara, are  three daughters, Carolyn Warnock of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Connie (Greg) Stoner of Cridersville, Milllicent (Sean) Ireland of Rockford and one son, Adam (Lisa) Williams of Mendon,  a daughter-in-law, Debra Williams survives in Celina; 11 grandchildren: Aaron, Kristen, Scott, Matthew, Joseph, Jacob, Heather, Herminie, Tori, Arwen, and Obadiah; also surviving are 16 great-grandchildren:    A.J., Ellie, Reece, Alexander, Kameryn, Aiden, Gavin, Sophia, Dilon, Rylee, Montana, Kaitlyn, Tommy, Logan, Ava, and Zane. Two brothers survive: Maurice Lee of Rockford and Larry (Karen) of St. Marys; and two sisters:  Nancy (Larry) Florence of Coldwater, Ohio and Arlene Reilly of Van Wert, Ohio. Deceased is one son, Michael Williams; one granddaughter, April Christie Vann; two sons-in-law, Donald Warnock and Michael Altenbach; five brothers:  Jack, Don, Robert Eugene, John, and Thomas Williams; five sisters: Joan Williams, Phyllis Stover, Mary Lou Caywood, Norma Jean Williams, and Patty Raudabaugh; and a very special aunt and uncle with whom he spent a great deal of time throughout his life: Wayne and Nelva McGillvary.

Memorial services for Bill will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2019, at 10:00 a.m., at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford, Ohio, with Pastor Chip Steffy officiating.  Burial will follow at Tomlinson Cemetery, Mendon, Ohio. Friends may call on Wednesday at the funeral home from 4-8 p.m., and 30 minutes prior to the service on Thursday. Memorials may be directed to The Alzheimer’s Association of Northwest Ohio, 3400 W. Elm St., Lima, Ohio, 45807 or to the State of the Heart Hospice, 230 W. Main St., Coldwater, Ohio, 45828.  Condolences may be expressed at ketchamripley.com