Kenneth H. Williams

Kenneth H. Williams, 94, formerly of Norwich, and more recently of Burlington, VT, passed away on Wednesday, February 10, 2021.

Born on September 26, 1926, in Union, NJ, Ken was the son of the late Sidney and Gwendoline (Wainwright) Williams. He graduated from Union High School, Union, NJ, in 1944, and enlisted in the United State Navy in World War II. Upon completion of his tour of duty, he went to school for drafting and engineering. He went on to work for G.E. then IBM, retiring after 25 years and after having lived in Winston Salem, NC, Whitesboro, NY, Poughkeepsie, NY, Williston, VT, and Warrenton, VA for work. While in Whitesboro, he belonged to the Jaycees. Ken and his wife, Gwen, retired to New Bern, NC, where Ken was able to play his beloved golf ten months a year. They enjoyed their 21 years in NC, making many friends and enjoying football games, concerts, bridge, and traveling.

Ken married Gwendolyn Riegle on November 3, 1951, and they enjoyed 69 years together. They had four children, daughter, Jeanne and Seth Urie, of Norwich, NY, daughter, Gail and Andrew Riggs, of Hinesburg, VT, daughter Donna and Bill Stives, of Warrenton, VA, and son, Kenny and Crystal Williams, of Linden, VA, each of whom survives. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren, Shawnda Urie, Ethan (Tara Harradine) Urie, Colin (Alee) Urie, Erin (Chris) Walker, Gretchen Riggs, Brittny (Trevor) Miller, Adam Stives, Rachel (Jeremy) Jeffries, Noah Stives, Kamryn, Brelyn, Zachary, and Christian Williams; as well as 13 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Ken was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Harry (Rosanna), Arthur (Elsie), Norman (Ethel), and his sister Dorothy (Edward) Brill.

Ken was a devoted family man and will be dearly missed by all who knew him. His smile, kind ways, and wonderful sense of humor with his one-liners are memories all will carry with them.

A funeral service for Ken will be held in the spring at the Broad Street United Methodist Church, in Norwich. Burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery, on Whitestore Road, Norwich, NY. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Jimmy Fund, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or Shriners Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114.