Obituary of John Robert Williams

John R. Williams "Uncle Jack" of Middle Road, Bath, New York passed away September 9, 2012 at the Bath VA Hospital. Born in Scranton, PA on October 11, 1918 he was the son of John and Jennie Williams. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his wife Edith, sister Edith West, step-sister Fannie Mae Ormsby and step-brothers Harry, Walter and Arthur Davis. Jack , married Edith Bryan on January 18, 1941. Ten months later he enlisted in the Seabees and spent four years as a welder on Guadacanal, Vella la Vella and Okinawa. He earned a Purple Heart on 9/13/43. Jack returned stateside and began his 32 year career at Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey. Jack kept in touch with old friends and new friends on a regular basis. He and Edith helped organize and attended most 82nd Seabee Battalion Reunions from 1946 to the last one held at Branson, Missouri in 2007. After visiting his step sister and family in Bath for many years, he purchased property on Middle Road and retired there in 1982. Edith became afflicted with Alzheimer's disease two years later and died three weeks short of their 55th wedding anniversary in 1996. Jack continued to live in Bath, writing poetry, speaking at service organizations about care giving and Alzheimer's disease. Jack's poems written for Edith have served as an inspiration for everyone who has read them. He leaves a legacy of giving and sharing. He has shared more "Kisses" with people in the Bath community. Jack became a Mason in 1952. He was a volunteer at the VA Center in Bath and a member of the local EAA organization. He practiced his "Whosoever believes religion" with all people. Jack lived with the belief that if you give something away, it is your forever. If you sell it, it is gone forever. Jack is ours forever because he gave of himself so freely. He is survived by nieces; Delores (Robert) Morse of Odessa, NY, Nancy (Roger) Dyer of Bath, NY, Bonnie (William) Kastner of Bath, NY; nephews, Harry (Dorothy deceased) Ormsby of Florida, Richard (Jeanette) Ormsby of Florida and William (Rose) Ormsby of Bath, NY; special grandnieces, Betty Ann (Mark) Green of Bath, NY and Janice (Skip) Smith of Avoca, NY and special friends for over 20 years Dewaine and Chris Aldrich of Kanona, NY. Friends may call this evening September 12th from 6:00-8:00 pm at Fagan's Funeral Home in Bath with a Masonic Service. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 1:00 pm at the funeral home. Graveside services will follow at 2:00 pm at the Bath National Cemetery with Military Honors. Memorial donations in Jack's name may be sent to Bath VA Nursing Home Recreation Services, Bath, NY 14810. Online condolences may be made at www.fagansfuneralhome.com.