Gary Alonzo Williams
Born 27 Apr 1927 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died 13 Sep 2009 in [Williamstown, Gloucester Co., New Jersey]
Married 23 Mar 1974 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Jane Eleanor Gilbert
Daughter of Arthur Stanley Gilbert and Helen Irene Chase
Born 30 Apr 1931 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died 20 Mar 2000 in Williamstown, Gloucester Co., New Jersey
No children
Notes
- Obituary, Tributes.com:
GARY ALONZA WILLIAMS was born April 26, 1927 at West Philadelphia Hospital for Women, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He was the younger son of Novella B. Gary and Benjamin Harrison Williams, Sr.,
then residing at 45 N. Ruby Street, Philadelphia, PA.
The family later moved to 219 N. 53rd Street, Philadelphia, prior to settling in New Jersey.
Gary's older brother, Dr. Benjamin H. Williams, Jr., predeceased him.
As a young boy, Gary attended the Stevens Practice School, Holmes Junior High School and West Philadelphia High School.
Upon graduation from high school, Gary briefly worked with his father at the US Post Office, 30th and Market Streets,
and then enlisted in the United States Army, where he entered active service on November 28, 1945.
Gary served in Germany during WWII in "Company A 614th Tank Destroyer Battalion" and was decorated with a WWII Victory Medal.
Upon return to the United States, Gary used the GI Bill to attend Philadelphia Museum and School of Industrial Art,
now Philadelphia University, where he learned draftsmanship and engineering,
which would become his lifelong career and passion.
Gary enjoyed honing his draftsmanship and engineering skills while working for Scott Paper Company and RCA Electronics
before building a career at The Boeing Company, where he designed helicopters. He retired from Boeing on May 1, 1987.
In 1946, Gary's parents purchased land in Williamstown, NJ and began building their "Country Home",
planned as a family respite and fruit orchard.
On November 24, 1956, Gary married Mary L. Koon. This marriage was later dissolved.
On March 23, 1974, Gary was united in marriage with Jane Eleanor Gilbert in Philadelphia, PA.
Gary and Jane moved to the "Country Home" in Williamstown, NJ, where they enjoyed their lives together
until Jane's death in 2000.
Gary and Jane warmly hosted the annual Thanksgiving feast for the Williams and Gilbert families.
Gary's nephews and niece fondly recall "Uncle Gary" teaching them to drive his farm tractor
and taking them for walks on Thanksgiving Day.
In later years, Uncle Gary became the financial advisor to the younger members of his family;
ensuring that his nephews and nieces understood the value of investing in the stock market, savings bonds, mutual funds, etc.
Gary took great pride in continually using his superb architectural skills to improve his home;
expanding and refining his property with each passing year.
His extensive improvements included library, kitchen and family room additions, renovated baths, a finished basement
and a rear patio addition.
Not only was Gary a skilled architect and engineer, he was also a very talented artist.
Gary's paintings and sketches decorate his home.
During the last nine years, Gary has enjoyed the companionship of his longtime friend, Harriet Logan.
Gary and Harriet enjoyed spending time with friends and family. Along with spending time with his family,
Gary greatly enjoyed social gatherings, parties and his men's clubs' activities.
He was especially fond of and active in the Viri Viginti Club, which he joined in May, 1985,
and in which he remained active until the time of his death.
Gary was a member of the African Episcopal Church of St Thomas, where he was a faithful participant
and delighted in the fellowship of the congregation.
Gary is survived by his companion Harriet Logan, two sisters-in-law Lorraine Williams and Diane Gilbert;
a brother-in-law, Frank E. Gilbert Esq.; three nephews, Benjamin Harrison Williams III, Joseph Gary Williams
and Michael Gilbert; a grand-nephew, Christopher Gilbert; two nieces, Stephanie Gilbert and Shelly Sealo;
a grand-niece, Gabrielle Jane Gilbert Johnson; three cousins Ernest Sealo, Mitzi Gary and Susan Abel-Bey,
as well as a host of friends and neighbors.
Visitation:
September 23 2009
9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas
6361 Lancaster Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19151
Funeral Service:
September 23 2009
10:00 AM
The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas
6361 Lancaster Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19151
Interment:
Wednesday September 23 2009
Holy Sepulchre Cemetery
4001 Cheltenham Avenue
Cheltenham, PA 19150
Sources