Richard E. "Gene" Williams' Obituary
Richard E. “Gene” Williams born August 18, 1945 to Dick and Louise Taylor Williams of Hawthorne, Florida died Tuesday, January 12, 2016 following a courageous battle with cancer. His family moved to Gainesville from Hawthorne in the early 1950’s. Gene often recalled the fond memories of his childhood, growing up in Alachua County. He always wanted to be at the funeral home; learning early what it meant to be a part of serving families during their most difficult time and caring for their most precious loved ones. Gene attended JJ Finley, Westwood, and Gainesville High. He graduated from Miami Dade College of Mortuary Science a licensed funeral director and embalmer.
Gene was a good and generous steward. As the second generation funeral director of Williams-Thomas Funeral Home, he recognized the need to expand upon the foundation to include a new facility in Hawthorne and most recently Westarea Funeral Home to better serve the families of Alachua County. Gene didn’t just live in the community; he was an active, contributing member, involved in many charitable pursuits and endeavors.
Gene had a great love and appreciation for life, there were so many things he enjoyed doing, including hunting, fishing, camping, antiquing, restoring antique vehicles, swimming, skiing, snow skiing, boating, beaching, Gator games, country music, and dancing. However, his greatest passion in life was to serve this community as a funeral director.
Gene belonged to many organizations including; The Professional Car Society, The Gainesville Quarterback Club, Jocanters, Gator Hunt Club, Gainesville Masonic Lodge 41, Scottish Rite, Morocco Shriners of Jacksonville, Kiwanis Club of Gainesville, National Funeral Directors Association, Florida Funeral Directors Association, Independent Funeral Directors of Florida, and Gainesville Street Rods. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church.
Gene is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Vonda; his son, Richard E. “Rick” and Kelly Williams; grandchildren, Blake Richard, Hannah Lynn, and Lauren Bailey. Gene is also survived by his mother-and father- in- law, Charlotte and Steve Weiss; sisters- and brothers- in- law, Teresa Pettit, Rebecca (Heath) Jaye, George Pettit-Weiss, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by many cousins and beloved friends. He was preceded in death by his brother, Charles Lee “Sandy” Williams, and sister, Mary Kathryn Milam.
Funeral services and celebration of Gene’s life will be held Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 3:00pm at Trinity United Methodist Church, 4000 NW 53rd Avenue, with Dr. Dan G. Johnson officiating. A reception will follow at Trinity. Gene’s family will receive friends Friday evening from 5:00-7:00pm at WILLIAMS-THOMAS FUNERAL HOME WESTAREA, 823 NW 143rd Street. Burial will be private for the family in Hawthorne Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his honor to Shriners Children’s Hospital, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 or Sebastian Ferraro Foundation, 105 SW 128th Street, Suite 200, Newberry, FL 32669.
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