Roger H. Williams (Abt 1913-2015)

WILLIAMS, RINGOEN

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 8/22/2015 at 18:21:25

Obituary from Akron Beacon Journal, Akron, Ohio:

CHICAGO, Ill. -- Roger H. Williams died August 11, 2015. He was 92 years old.

Roger was born in Webster City, Iowa, the son of Roger and Dorothy Williams. He grew up in Ames Iowa, earned the Eagle Scout award, participated in various school and community activities, and attended the Episcopal Church with his parents. He graduated from Ames High School in 1941.

He met Jean Ringoen while attending Iowa State University. After graduating with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, they married in January of 1947 and lived for brief periods in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Marshalltown, Iowa, and Pottstown, Pennsylvania.

In 1957, he joined Firestone Tire and Rubber Company headquartered in Akron, Ohio. During his tenure with Firestone International he helped expand international marketing and sales of products for the synthetic rubber division, traveling extensively to pacific-rim countries with numerous visits to Japan. He retired in 1980 and continued to take a keen interest in Japan and developed an interest in computer programming, auditing and participating in courses at The University of Akron.

In 2007, Roger and Jean moved from Silver Lake, Ohio to Chicago to be closer to their children. Roger enjoyed their terrace container garden where they grew corn, tomatoes and flowers within blocks of Chicago's skyscrapers. Earlier this year they celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary.

Roger was a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He is survived by his wife, Jean; sons, Steve and Tom (Yvonne); daughter, Carla (Cheryl); and grandchildren, Ned, Charlie, Amy, Lisa, and Chris.

A memorial service will be held August 29, 2015 at 1 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church in Chicago. It was Roger's request to be cremated and a private interment will be held by the family at Peace Lutheran Cemetery in Ridgeway, Iowa next summer.