Ralph E. Williams

RALPH E. WILLIAMS, age 86, of Elgin, formerly of McHenry and Quincy, IL, passed away Sunday, June 5, 2011 at Provena St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin. BORN / EARLY YEARS, Ralph was born June 23, 1924, in Harrisburg, IL, the son of Ralph and Effie (Palmer) Newton. EDUCATION Ralph grew up in Harrisburg where he attended local schools and at age 17, after a brief period in the Conservation Corps, Ralph enlisted in the Navy. He served in the Pacific where he ran the ships store. Lasting friendships were made wherever he was stationed, though the last ship on which he served the longest, U.S.S. Fowler, was one that held special meaning for him as he religiously attended the yearly reunions. No relationship in the service was more important, however, than the one he formed with Katherine M. Olicher, his future bride. MARRIED They were married in February in the 1940’s in Pittsburg, PA, where he was then stationed. They began their new life together overseas, as Katherine followed Ralph to Guam. Following his honorable discharge, they moved to Chicago. In the years that followed, they were blessed with seven children. WORK PLACE HISTORYWhile living in Chicago, Ralph owned his own gas station near Elston Ave. but left it behind when they moved to North Lake in 1962. There he worked for Franklin-Weber Pontiac until his retirement in 1984.RESIDENTIAL HISTORYIn 1976, they moved to Hoffman Estates where they lived in a town house on a golf course, Hilldale Golf Course. It was while they were there that his wife was diagnosed with Leukemia. They moved to Willow Lake Estates and had just moved in when Katherine went back to the hospital. She passed away in July of 1984. Ralph continued to make his home at Willow Lakes Estates for ten years before moving to a retirement center in McHenry, IL. Even in retirement Ralph kept busy working part time with a friend who did body work on cars for a time. After his health began to decline, Ralph was brought into the care of the Soldiers and Sailors Veterans home in Quincy, IL. Later the family moved him closer to home when he came to live at Tower Hill in Elgin in April of 2007.LIFE NOTES Among the many loves of his life, and second to Katherine and his family, Ralph loved to golf. He enjoyed travelling with friends on golf trips to Palm Springs. Others sports captured his attention as well including the Chicago Bears and Cubs in addition to bowling on local leagues for many years. Ralph was one of a kind. He was sometimes stubborn and argumentative, often debating just to debate, but he also was the first to lend a helping hand and was always fixing his friends’ cars. He enjoyed watching T.V., drinking coffee and enjoying his family, especially the "old school marriage" relationship he had with Katherine. The mark he left on this world was uniquely his and he will never be forgotten. MEMBERSHIPSRalph enjoyed belonging to a booster club in Chicago, especially around the holidays because they threw such great Christmas parties. SURVIVORS He is survived by seven children:Madeline B. (Clifford) Sessous of VA,Ralph E. (Theresa) Williams Jr. of Pel Lake, WI, Hal O. (Meddie) Williams, Lake Geneva, WI, Roxanne (Terry) Algrim of St. Charles, ILConstance R. (Jesse) Richardson of Bruceton, TN, Jacob J. Williams of St. Charles, ILGail M. (Mark) Knox of Richmond, IL15 Grandchildren;16 great-grandchildren;Three siblings:Marjorie Rogers of Galatia, ILJuanita Broyles of Goersville, ILCharles Williams of Springfield, IL Many nieces and nephews a family of friends who will dearly miss him. PRECEDED He is preceded in death by his parents and his wife Katherine and Seven brothers and sisters:James Williams (died in WWII as a pilot ),Lorene __________________,Twins, Tim and Tom Williams,Arthur Williams,Frank Williams and John A. Williams.VISITATION / FUNERAL Following cremation there will be a visitation from 11am to 1 p.m., Friday, June 17, with a memorial service to follow visitation at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119, Rev. Ernst Rex, Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church of Lily Lake will officiate. Private family burial will follow at a later date. MEMORIAL In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Ralph’s name to benefit his favorite charities. Memorials checks may be made to the Ralph Williams Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through his obituary at www.conleycare.com.

Following cremation there will be a visitation from 11am to 1 p.m., Friday, June 17, with a memorial service to follow visitation at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119, Rev. Ernst Rex, Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church of Lily Lake will officiate.

Private family burial will follow at a later date.