John Williams

Born in Newcomerstown, Ohio on March 9, 1942, John was one of nine children born to the late Charles and Olive Work Williams. 

He was a graduate of Newcomerstown High School and soon thereafter entered into the United States Navy for five and a half years where he served aboard the USS Kenneth D. Bailey and served during Vietnam.

On March 9, 1968, he married the love of his life, the former Ruth V. Vance. Together the couple have shared in 55 years of marriage and spent countless hours serving the Lord as a couple. Their faith was nurtured for many years at the Hanoverton Christian Church where they served in many capacities as Jr. Church Leaders, Bible Study and Sunday School Teachers and volunteered their time and efforts in any way possible.

John believed in living his faith through action so his volunteer work and helping others did not stop at church. He was a longtime member of the Hanoverton Ruritans and would have given the shirt off his back to anyone in need. He dedicated his life to Faith, Family, and Farming. After God, his family came in a close second making every effort possible to support his daughters’ ventures while they were in school. Last, came his love of farming, restoring, and collecting his prized Allis-Chalmers tractors and his beloved 1957 Chevy. In his younger years found great joy in drag racing but as he grew older turned his attention to tractor pulls and his beloved grandchildren.

John spent 30 years providing for his family through his work at General Motors where he worked on the assembly line and final inspection prior to his retirement.

In addition to his wife, John will be deeply missed by his daughters, Dawn (Brian) Wheeler and Christina “Crissy” (Jim) Tucker, all of Florida; his two grandchildren, Kayla Lee Wheeler and John Wayne Wheeler; his siblings, Charles “Mack” (Tureko) Williams, Russell (Barb) Williams, Beulah (Craig) King, and David “Pete” (Windy) Williams; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his mother and father, John was preceded in death by siblings, Neva Williams, Olive Boling, April Murphy, and Carolita Williams.

A brunch reception honoring John’s life will be held on Friday, November 3, 2023, from 11:00 to 1:00 p.m. in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover where Pastor Bob Greier will lead a Celebration of Life service at 1:00 p.m. Inurnment with military honors will follow in the Bethel Cemetery at Newcomerstown.