James A. Williams Horseheads, New York Obituary

James A. Williams

Williams, James A. Of Horseheads, NY passed away on June 23, 2017 at the age of 68. James was born on April 11, 1949 in Rochester, NY, in the suburb of Greece to Roger M. and Lois K. (Speck) Williams. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lee Williams, of 51 years and two children, Philip Roger Williams and his two children, Gabriel James Williams and Brody Van Allen Williams of Montour, and Valerie Mae Williams of Corning. He is also survived by his older brother Gary (Barbara) Williams and two younger twin sisters, Donna (Earl) Mikel of Rochester and Diane Richardson of Interlaken, NY. He is survived by many nieces and nephews; David, Laura, Kevin, Keith, Richard, Michael, and Kari, also a few cousins and many friends as well as many educational colleagues. James went to elementary school in the suburb of Greece and graduated from Arcadia High School in 1967. Throughout both his high school and college years, he also had part-time jobs. He went to Monroe Community College for Audio Visual Arts and was also employed at a local news station at the same time, graduating from MCC in 1969. During the summer he worked for Kodak. In September he began work for his Bachelors Degree in Industrial Arts and Education at Buffalo State College. He graduated in December 1971. In 1972, he joined the United States Army Reserves Signal Corps Unit. In 1973 he began his teaching career. James taught Industrial Arts, CAD, CAM, CID, and other pre-engineering courses for 37 years. He taught at Bishop Kearney High School, Fairport High School, and Horseheads High School. In 1992, he was awarded Technology Teacher of the year in Chemung County. He retired in 2010. James had a few opportunities to travel. In 1975, he spent two weeks in Europe. His most fond memory was the Pope stopping his promenade so he could take a picture. In 2009, he spent two weeks in Alaska. James was also a car lover, the Dodge Ram truck being his pride and joy. He was also a photographer with his own darkroom. One of his photos earned him an Honorable Mention internationally. He was also an amateur radio operator, call sign WB2LWM until he acquired his deceased fathers call W2NES. Having passed the licensing test on November 22, 1963, he was an active “ham”, extra class, for (49) years. Upon his death, he became a silent key. The family will welcome relatives and friends to Sullivan’s Funeral Home, 365 E. Franklin St. at Rt. 13, Horseheads, NY on Monday, July3 , 2017 from 2PM-4PM with his Funeral Service to follow. James will be laid to rest at Maple Grove Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Those wishing to remember James, please consider contributions to the Horseheads Community Animal Shelter, 150 Wygant Rd., Horseheads, NY 14845. Condolences and words of comfort may be expressed at Jame’s Book of Memories at www.sullivansfuneralhome.com
April 11, 1949 - June 23, 201704/11/194906/23/2017
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Obituary

Williams, James A. Of Horseheads, NY passed away on June 23, 2017 at the age of 68. James was born on April 11, 1949 in Rochester, NY, in the suburb of Greece to Roger M. and Lois K. (Speck) Williams. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lee Williams, of 51 years and two children, Philip Roger Williams and his two children, Gabriel James Williams and Brody Van Allen Williams of Montour, and Valerie Mae Williams of Corning. He is also survived by his older brother Gary (Barbara) Williams and two younger twin sisters, Donna (Earl) Mikel of Rochester and Diane Richardson of Interlaken, NY. He is survived by many nieces and nephews; David, Laura, Kevin, Keith, Richard, Michael, and Kari, also a few cousins and many friends as well as many educational colleagues. James went to elementary school in the suburb of Greece and graduated from Arcadia High School in 1967. Throughout both his high school and college years, he also had part-time jobs. He went to Monroe Community College for Audio Visual Arts and was also employed at a local news station at the same time, graduating from MCC in 1969. During the summer he worked for Kodak. In September he began work for his Bachelors Degree in Industrial Arts and Education at Buffalo State College. He graduated in December 1971. In 1972, he joined the United States Army Reserves Signal Corps Unit. In 1973 he began his teaching career. James taught Industrial Arts, CAD, CAM, CID, and other pre-engineering courses for 37 years. He taught at Bishop Kearney High School, Fairport High School, and Horseheads High School. In 1992, he was awarded Technology Teacher of the year in Chemung County. He retired in 2010. James had a few opportunities to travel. In 1975, he spent two weeks in Europe. His most fond memory was the Pope stopping his promenade so he could take a picture. In 2009, he spent two weeks in Alaska. James was also a car lover, the Dodge Ram truck being his pride and joy. He was also a photographer with his own darkroom. One of his photos earned him an Honorable Mention internationally. He was also an amateur radio operator, call sign WB2LWM until he acquired his deceased fathers call W2NES. Having passed the licensing test on November 22, 1963, he was an active “ham”, extra class, for (49) years. Upon his death, he became a silent key. The family will welcome relatives and friends to Sullivan’s Funeral Home, 365 E. Franklin St. at Rt. 13, Horseheads, NY on Monday, July3 , 2017 from 2PM-4PM with his Funeral Service to follow. James will be laid to rest at Maple Grove Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Those wishing to remember James, please consider contributions to the Horseheads Community Animal Shelter, 150 Wygant Rd., Horseheads, NY 14845. Condolences and words of comfort may be expressed at Jame’s Book of Memories at www.sullivansfuneralhome.com

Events

Jul
03
First Visitation
Monday, July 03 2017
02:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Sullivan's Funeral Home
365 E. Franklin Street
Horseheads, NY 14845
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Jul
03
Service
Monday, July 03 2017
04:00 PM
Sullivan's Funeral Home
365 E. Franklin Street
Horseheads, NY 14845
Get Directions
View MapTextEmail