Williams, John W. – Died 2011
WILLIAMS, HYLAND, WILLIAMS-PEIRERA, ADAMS
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 2/9/2013 at 09:36:13
Source: Decorah Public Opinion December 6, 2011
John Williams
John W. Williams, 71, formerly of Springfield, passed away peacefully Nov. 28, 2011, in Decorah, after a courageous battle with illnesses. A gathering of family and friends is Friday, Dec. 9, from 5-7 p.m. in the Little and Rue Funeral Home. A tribute and celebration of life and career is Saturday, Dec. 10, in the weaver Chapel at Wittenberg University.
He was loved and esteemed by students and family and is best known for inspiring thousands of singers to glorify God through music.
“JW.” As students affectionately dubbed him, began his career at Shawnee High School in 1962. From 1970 to 1982 he directed the Wittenberg University Choir, which became world famous by touring North America, Western and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.
John also conducted the Indianapolis Symphonic Chorale and the Waldorf College Choir. Sadly, his career ended at Waldorf in 1997, after a devastating near death bout of bacterial meningitis.
In 1991 William witnessed the culmination of a 14-year vision to influence the world for peace through a music festival in Tallinn, Estonia. “Bridges of song” attracted 22,500 singers and 400,000 spectators to this spectacular event.
He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Susan; son, Jeff and his wife, Jill, of Springfield; daughter, Julie Hyland and husband, Dan, of Bellbrook; and son, Torin Williams and wife, Ingalil of Gothenburg, Sweden. He has seven grandchildren; Joshua, Carly and Laura Beth Williams; Timothy, Justen and Shelby Hyland; and Ylva Lee Williams; as well as one great-granddaughter, Gabby Anne Williams-Peirera. Other survivors include his brothers, Ed, Paul and wife, Katherine, of Cleveland, Ohio; and sister, Ruth and husband, Rev. Mendle Adams, of Cincinnati, Ohio; as well as many nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.
Transcribed from a newspaper clipping submitted by Janice Sowers.
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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