Obituary of Jay S. Williams

Jay S. Williams, age 92, formerly of Model City, NY (Town of Lewiston) died Friday June 12, 2009 in Battle Creek, MI after a long illness. Jay was born September 14, 1916 in Cloe, PA, the son of the late Loil and Lola (Shields) Williams. He graduated from Punxsutawney High School in 1934 and served with the 104th Calvary of the Pennsylvania National Guard until his honorable discharge in 1937. Jay married Frances E. (Grube) Williams on December 24, 1939 and they moved to this area shortly thereafter. Frances predeceased him January 5, 1998. A Millwright by trade, Jay began working for the International Paper Co. in 1939. In 1945 he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force and served until his honorable discharge as a Sergeant in 1946. He was stationed at the Atsugi Air Base in Japan and was the recipient of the Army Occupation Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, and the WW II Victory Medal. After his discharge he returned to his job at International Paper Co. and worked there until 1950. From 1950 to 1961 he worked for Niagara Alkali, then at Hooker Chemical. In 1961 he opened and operated the Escarpment Esso Service Station at the corner of Callan Drive and Upper Mountain Road and ran it until 1963 while at the same time working for Maintenance-Sprayfoam Associates. From 1963 to 1967 he worked for the Village of Lewiston as a Mechanic. He then was employed by Carborundum Co., Wheatfield Coated Abrasives Division as a Millwright until his retirement in 1980. After his retirement he worked for the New York State Parks as a gardener from 1985 to 1999. He was a life member of V.F.W. Lewiston Post #7487, the John J. Welch Post #0381 in Niagara Falls, and the Loyal Order of Moose # 584 in Lewiston, and a life member of the Handyman Club of America. Jay also served as a Boy Scout and Explorer leader in Lewiston and as a special deputy with the Niagara County Sheriff's Dept.. From 1968 to 1990 he was a hunting/fishing warden. He was an avid outdoorsman and sportsman. He served as President of the Seven Clan Bowman and was a member of the Niagara County Federation of Sportsmen. Jay was a woodworker and woodcarver and built his home in Model City in 1948. He married Elnora (Kelly) Williams on November 12, 2000 and moved to Battle Creek, MI. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Timothy (Bernadine) Williams of Model City, NY; a daughter, Suetta Bale of Niagara Falls; a step daughter, Theresa Loughrige of Battle Creek, MI; a step son, Steven (Sylvia) Coffing of Battle Creek, MI; his grandchildren, Jennifer (Patrick) Dunn, Elizabeth (Ralph Jr.) Grizanti, John Wolfe, and Lynn Frye; 6 step grandchildren and many great grandchildren. Friends may call at HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, N. Fourth & Ridge Sts., Lewiston on Thursday, June 18, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Funeral services will begin in the funeral home at 1:00 pm with the Rev. Charles Lamb officiating. Burial will follow in Niagara Falls Memorial Park Cemetery, Lewiston. In lieu of flowers, Memorials be made to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 56 708 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls, NY 14303 or to Heart & Soul Food Pantry, 939 Ontario Ave., Niagara Falls, NY.