Ronald Edward Williams

For Ron Williams, every challenge became a triumph. Ron was a gifted, hardworking man, who succeeded at everything he ever did, through talent and tenacity, character and charisma. Ron was a proud veteran, successful businessman, sailor, and a loving husband, father and friend. Most of all, Ron was a man who never settled for second best, and taught us to do the same. Rons story began on a hot summer day in 1939, as the Fourth of July holiday passed in Muskegon, Michigan. Those were tough times in this country, which was still recovering from the Great Depression, and anxiously watching as the world went to war yet again. But on July 6, 1939, Roscoe and Alice (Brough) Williams found a reason to celebrate, with the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Ronald Edward. Ron was the youngest of six children in the familys Muskegon home, and he grew up during a tough time. Ron often recalled seeing milk wagons pulled by horses, coal deliveries to their home, and when Seaway Drive went through, too. Ron wasnt a big fan of school as a boy, and once was caught playing hooky by hiding in a large cardboard box. Ron was much more interested in going hunting with his brother-in-law Bob Hansen, than sitting in a classroom. Ron was a naturally athletic young man, and when he was at Muskegon High School, he became a member of the Big Reds track team. Ron won many medals and awards in his track career, and was part of the Medley Relay team that held the Muskegon city record for five years. When he was a teenager, Ron also became very involved in the Sea Scouts, a kind of junior Coast Guard, which met in the Bluffton area of Muskegon. The group had uniforms, conducted meetings, and maintained an old ship they took on weekly excursions. Ron fell in love with the water then, and boating became a lifelong passion. Of course, he fell in love with more than the water thanks to the Sea Scouts. The group also held parties and dances for fun, and Ron met a beautiful young woman named Judy DAlcorn at one of these events. Friendship grew between them, and they eventually began dating. Judys brothers also got Ron interested in sailboat racing, and he crewed with them on their E-scow. After he graduated from high school in 1958, Ron went to work at the Norge Corporation, making refrigerators on the assembly line. He then went to work at Gardner-Denver in Grand Haven for a machinest apprenticeship. In 1962, Ron enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves, spending boot camp at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and received further training at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. The next six years, Ron was stationed back in his hometown of Muskegon, where he went back to work at Gardner-Denver. Ron excelled in military service, and in 1964, he was awarded the first-annual Outstanding Achievement Medal by then-Michigan Governor George Romney. With his success in the reserves and his career as a machinist, Rons professional life was on track. His personal life began to bloom, as well. In 1963, he married his longtime sweetheart Judy, the beginning of a wonderful life together, full of fond memories, and full of family, too. Before they knew it, Ron and Judy were the proud parents of two beautiful little girls, Deborah and Marcia, who filled their lives with happiness. In the mid-1960s, Gardner-Denver underwent a difficult, 9-month strike. Never one to sit on the sidelines, Ron quit and went into business with three of his coworkers, which proved to be a very successful venture for them. His business provided well for his family, and afforded him plenty of time to fuel his passion for sailing. Rons love for sailing grew over the years, becoming more and more involved by joining the Muskegon Yacht Club. Eventually he bought a 26-foot Coronado in kit form, and he put much of it together himself, including finishing building the cabin interior himself. As captain of the Coronado, Ron went on to win numerous trophies and awards for his racing prowess. In the early 1970s, Ron decided to sell his share of the machinist business, and he and Judy became hoteliers, buying the 13-room Bel-Aire Motel. It was something Ron had long dreamt of doing, though the reality was a much different experience. Dealing with difficult customers, the energy crisis of the 1970s, and the very confining lifestyle made it a very rough four years for Ron, and they finally sold the motel. After selling the business, Ron, Judy and the kids moved to McCracken Street. Ron returned to being a machinist, working for Mid-West Machine (re-named MidWest Technologies), where he remained the rest of his career, finally retiring in 2002. Ron continued his active involvement in the Muskegon Yacht Club in retirement, where he was a longtime member and made so many friends. Eventually, Rons health began to decline, as the years of hard work took their toll on him. Sadly, Ron died Wednesday, October 22, 2008, at the age of 69. Ron was a remarkable man, who lived a remarkable life, a life so full of successes. He was a businessman, decorated veteran, award-winning sailor, and a loving husband, father and friend. Most of all, Ron was a first-rate man who taught us to never settle for second best. He will be greatly missed. Ron is survived by his wife, Judith; daughters, Deborah Lynn (John) Wheeler of Novi, MI, Marcia Ann (John) Van Eden of Lafayette, CO; sisters, Nora Lawson of Muskegon, Ruth (Dale) Smith of Muskegon, Margaret Cramer of Madison, WI. He was preceded in death by brother, Robert, and sister, Doris Hansen. A Memorial Service will be held Monday, October 27, 2008 at Clock Chapel with Rev. Ben Jansen officiating. Interment at Restlawn Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or sign the online guest book.