Date of Birth
Apr 16,1932
Date of Death
Mar 04,2017
Donald “Don” Williams, age 84, of Hoffman Estates, formerly of Forest Park, IL, passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love and prayers of his family, Saturday, March 4, 2017.
He was born April 16, 1932, in Chicago, IL.
Don grew up on Taylor Street in Chicago and attended local schools.
He graduated from Proviso West High School and graduated with the class of 1949. One year later, Don and a childhood buddy enlisted into the United States Marine Corp. They served proudly and faithfully and fought overseas during the Korean War. Following his honorable discharge in 1952, Don returned to civilian life in Forest Park.
He spent the next many years working various jobs but worked mostly as a building engineer in the hotel and hospitality industry. He was most proud of his time at the Quality Inn in Schiller Park and the Biltmore Country Club in Barrington, IL.
Don found that no accomplishment shone as bright as the love he found in Linda Quigley one fateful day at the Quality Inn in 1982. The next four years was filled with unforgettable memories, many of them on the dance floor. Don literally swept Linda off her feet, but they both landed at the altar in 1986. They were united in marriage on June 13, 1986. They began their new life together in Hoffman Estates and continued their love affair ever since.
Don loved to go on road trips across the country, crossing so many state lines on his explorations that it would be folly to try and list them here. They not only made memories with every mile, but seemingly found new friends with every mile as well. Don never met a stranger and could speak intelligently on a myriad of subjects. He felt at home with people from every walk of life and it wasn’t long before you learned that a friendship with Don was one for life. Nothing made him happier than being surrounded by the love of his family, especially the special relationship with his grandchildren. He loved making them breakfast, playing the role of “private chef” on every sleep over and was particularly adept at spoiling them rotten at every turn. Don was one of a kind and surely his equal will never be seen again.
He now leaves his loving wife of 30 years, Linda Williams; two children: Renee (Mike) Dee and Marc (Alissa) Wondolkowski; four grandchildren: Natalie, Charlie, Max and Josie; several brother and sister-in-laws, many nieces and nephews and a list of friends a country mile long.
Visitation will be from 9:30-10:30 a.m. with a memorial mass to begin at 10:30 a.m. at St. Katherine Drexel Catholic Church, 8S055 Dugan Rd., Sugar Grove, IL 60554, on Friday, March 10, 2017. Fr. Bob Jones, pastor of the church, will officiate with interment to follow Monday, March 13, at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, 20953 W Hoff Rd, Elwood, IL 60421, at 11 a.m. (For those wishing to attend, please line up at the welcome center inside the cemetery by 10:45 a.m.)
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Don’s name. Checks may be made to the “Donald Williams Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.
Visitation will be from 9:30-10:30 a.m. with a memorial mass to begin at 10:30 a.m. at St. Katherine Drexel Catholic Church, 8S055 Dugan Rd., Sugar Grove, IL 60554, on Friday, March 10, 2017. Fr. Bob Jones, pastor of the church, will officiate.
Visitation will be from 9:30-10:30 a.m. with a memorial mass to begin at 10:30 a.m. at St. Katherine Drexel Catholic Church, 8S055 Dugan Rd., Sugar Grove, IL 60554, on Friday, March 10, 2017. Fr. Bob Jones, pastor of the church, will officiate.
Monday, March 13, at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, 20953 W Hoff Rd, Elwood, IL 60421, at 11 a.m. (For those wishing to attend, please line up at the welcome center inside the cemetery by 10:45 a.m.)