Edward L. “Ed” Williams, age 81, of Marion, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 29, 2010, after battling with cancer for several months.
On January 21, 1929, Edward was born in Columbus, Ohio, the son of the late William Lloyd and Monteze Williams.
After his father joined the Soil Conservation Service, the family moved to Howell, Michigan, where Ed graduated from high school. Soon after, the family, including his brother Jack, moved to Marion. Ed attended Kent State and Ohio State Universities.
On October 8, 1950, Ed married Beneva “Jo” Jones in Marion. Together they shared thirty four years of marriage and had two children, Marilynn Ann and James Edward. She preceded him in death on March 25, 1984. On May 31, 1986, Ed married Erma (Gorenflo) Irvine, and they enjoyed their twenty four years together.
In 1956, Ed joined the Whirlpool Corporation, where he worked his entire career as an Inventory Manager, until retiring after 32 years in 1988.
An avid reader all of his life, Ed’s passion was history, particularly American History.
Ed was a member of the Epworth United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity, Edward Huber Memorial Association, the Kentucky Colonels, the Ohio Historical Society, and the Marion Historical Society. He was formerly a member of the Marion Country Club and the Jaycees.
Ed will be dearly missed by his loving wife, Erma Williams of Marion; his daughter, Marilynn Williams Rowdybush of Falls Church, Virginia; his son, James Edward Williams and his wife Carol Schreck of Cape Elizabeth, Maine; a step daughter, Linda Irvine Strzelecki and her husband Marti of Marion; four grandchildren: Edward Brinton Rowdybush and Gwendolyn Jo Rowdybush, both of Falls Church, Virginia, Kyle Christopher Strzelecki and his wife Alicia, and Andrew Joseph “A.J.” Strzelecki, both of Marion; a brother, Jack Williams and his wife Ardyce of Fairfield Glade, Tennessee; and by numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews; and by his devoted Scottish Terrier, Dundee.
His family will greet friends from 3 – 7 p.m. on Sunday, January 2, 2011, at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home, 360 E. Center St., Marion. Services honoring his life will be held on Monday at 11:00 a.m. at the Epworth United Methodist Church, 249 E. Center St., with Rev. Colleen Ogle officiating. Burial will take place at a later date in Marion Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross or the Epworth United Methodist Church Scholarship Fund.
For those wishing to express their private condolences online to Edward’s family, you may do so by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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