August 27, 1961 ~ July 22, 2025
Our dad, Lester Williams, age 94, went home to be with his one true love, our mother, Roberta Gregwer Williams, on July 22, 2025. He was born December 2, 1930, in Live Oak, Florida, to the late Bernie and Netti (McClellan) Williams.
He was preceded in death by: his sisters, Marie Yates, Carolyn Rodgers and Ann Samford; son-in-law, Edward Flood; and two grandchildren, Sarah Stinebaugh and Andrew Flood. He is survived by: his five children, Barbara Williams Grondsma (John), Leslie Williams Stinebaugh (Jack), Terri Williams Settler (Dave), Richard Williams, and Jennifer Williams (Chad). Dad has left a long legacy with 19 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews.
Dad began his work ethic when he was only 8 years old, hand-sawing logs. For his paycheck he would trade for groceries for his family and buy himself a Pepsi Cola, as he would tell us. When he was 17, dad’s mom signed him into the Marine Corps. Dad started his military career. He was in the Marine Corps for 11 years. During that time, he fought in the Korean War. He was part of the Marine Corps Rifle and Pistol Team. Dad placed second with an M1 rifle. His team won all the National Trophy Matches. This was the first of all the services of the National Matches.
Then he joined the Air Force and made a career for 12 years. During his service with the Air Force, dad participated with the division rifle team. He became the Rifle Marksmanship Instructor. Dad’s military job was Top Secret Cryptography, and he was stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. Mom never knew what his job was, but she knew it was very important. Dad served in Vietnam and received the Bronze Star with communications maintenance for the 1972nd Communications Squadron at DaNang Air Force Base. Dad retired as Senior Master Sergeant.
When dad retired from the Air Force, he worked for Western Geophysical, traveling all over the world. One adventure was traveling on the Amazon River and telling us kids, you don’t dare put your hands in the river. Piranhas!
Our dad worked different jobs, so his family moved to different places. Exxon oil rigs - dad had to take a boat to get out on the rigs, off the island of Grand Isle. Engineering was his job title. Then dad said we are moving to Pentwater, Michigan (our mom’s stomping grounds). That was the end of traveling. Our dad was content to stay in the small town of Pentwater. He worked at S.D. Warren in Muskegon in electrical engineering. Dad was always learning and put what he learned into action. He learned about computers and taught at West Shore Community College.
Dad and our mom worked together for the food pantry in Hart. They worked for Oceana Right to Life.
He was a man of faith, believing in the one true God. When we would visit, dad would complain about the weather or something else. He would say, “You take what the good Lord gives you.” Dad lived a full life, and we are proud to be his family.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 26, 2025, at St. Vincent Catholic Church, 637 6th St., Pentwater, MI 49449, with Fr. Phillip Sliwinski presiding. Visitation will be held Saturday, from 10 a.m. until time of Mass at the church. Interment will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Weare.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas, 66675-8516, www.woundedwarriorproject.org<...
Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, is in charge of arrangements. www.beaconfh.com
