Joe. W. Williams (1937-2015)
WILLIAMS, BOYD
Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 3/14/2015 at 10:36:33
Obituary from Birches-Roy Funeral Home, Great Barrington, Massachusets:
Lakeville–JOE W. WILLIAMS, 77, died peacefully with his family at his side March 5, 2015, at Fair View Commons Rehabilitation Center, Great Barrington, Ma. He died of a sudden illness following many years of dementia.
Joe was born in Ames, Iowa, July 10, 1937. Joe loved basketball. He was a member of the Ames High Iowa State Basketball Championship team of 1955. He played for the University of Iowa basketball team. After graduation from Iowa U, Joe attended the University of Iowa College of Law, receiving a JD (Order of the Coif). He married his beloved Andie (Andrea F. Williams) and began his professional life as a corporate tax lawyer in New York City at the Wall Street law firm of Dewey Ballantine.
Joe and Andie lived in Brooklyn one subway stop from Joe’s office. During this period Joe completed his military obligation in the Army Reserves as a JAG officer. He also completed an LLM in Tax Law at the Graduate Tax Program of the New York University School of Law.
Joe and Andie loved New York City and happily lived in Brooklyn with their three sons. Joe became a Tax Partner at Dewey. He furthered his professional life as President of The Tax Club and as Adjunct Professor at the Graduate Tax program of New York University School of Law. His basketball experience was enhanced by the opportunity to coach each of his sons in YMCA basketball. To this day there are former players who call him “Coach.”
During a visit to dear friends in Lakeville, Joe and Andie fell in love with the Northwest Corner. Soon after, they bought their house on Lakeview Ave, to which they retired in 2003.
Joe is the inventor of “The Lakeville Play” designed to allow the newest, youngest first-time participant in the weekly multi-family pick-up “baseball” game at the town field in Lakeville experience the thrill of hitting an inside-the-park home run. Joe is also the man on Lakeview Avenue who thrilled trick-or-treaters by taking their photos on Halloween.
Joe was tireless, fun-loving and funny. He walked the Hotchkiss Golf Course until winter set in, and was even talking about “working on his swing” just two weeks ago despite being unable to get out of bed.
Joe is survived by his wife Andie; son Josh and his wife Tanielia; son Charlie and his wife Cherie; son Ben; his mother Ruth; his sister Janet Boyd; his brother Jim.
A memorial celebration will be held on a date to be determined.
The family has been assisted in arrangements by Birches-Roy Funeral Home, Great Barrington, Ma.
Contributions to honor Joe’s love for children may be made to Smile Train or Save the Children. Or do something fun or silly for yourself or others.
http://birchesroyfuneralservices.com/
Story Obituaries maintained by Mark Christian.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen