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BORN
1945
DIED
2014
FUNERAL HOME
Sam Williams Obituary
11/25/45 - 10/29/14
Sam's year-long battle with cancer came to a close early Wednesday morning. He courageously faced his struggle with an "I'll do the best I can for as long as I can" attitude. His wife and several friends were at his side as he passed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Thelma (Snyder) and Harry Coulter Williams, creator of the Silver Screen and other innovative theatre screens.
He is survived by his wife of forty-four years, Jan; two sons, Eric (Beth) of California and Andrew of Florida; two grandchildren, Harrison and Rebecca of California, and his sister Sandra of North Carolina.
Sam spent his entire life in Kenmore, a community he loved and supported. He especially like his view of Summit Lake. Over the years he was competitive in many activities, including Pine Wood Derby cars, slot cars, radio controlled cars, and sports cars. His interests also included ham radio, cowboy action competitions, and paintball.
He was most passionate about road racing, his many motorcycles, mostly Kawasakis consistently with the number 47, in honor of one of his early idols, Ottie Smith. He competed for over forty years, earning a multitude of national championships in Vintage Racing.
He leaves a host of friends who admired and supported him. As Sam wished, he has been cremated, and there will be no services.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date that will be announced on the Kenmore Historical Society website and Facebook.
He was very appreciative of his caregivers in Home Hospice and the Akron General Hospice of VNS on Ridgewood Road.
To honor Sam, please consider putting up a bird feeder in your window and visiting the Akron Zoo, home of one of his favorite animals, the red panda. He would be pleased if you made a donation to the Wounded Warriors Project or the Kenmore Historical Society.
The Schlup-Pucak Funeral Home is honored to serve the Williams family. Messages and memories of Sam can be shared at schluppucak.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Sam Williams
Sponsored by Akron Beacon Journal.
Bill Billock
October 26, 2019
Hard to believe 5 years have passed already! Im thankful to have know you Sam.
February 4, 2015
Jan and family, Sam will truly be missed and was always a true friend.I have good memories of the days passed.
You have always been strong in many ways and have endured a lot of things. Stay strong. Thinking of you always. Linda Tasker
Don Fine & Heidi Smakula
November 18, 2014
Jan and Familly -
It has taken us a few moments remember all that we shared with Sam. 24 Hours of Nelson, Lester Wheels, race instructor, fierce competition when his bikes were new, and just as fierce when they were classified as vintage. Sam was the only guy we knew who had phone numbers to local pizza shops in his digital watch. Sam raced big cc and small cc, and it made no difference. And Jan, you were always there. We miss 47.
Davidia Thompson
November 8, 2014
Deepest sympathies to Jan and family. I will let my mom, Delores know of the news.
Denny & Candy Laidig
November 7, 2014
Nelson Ledges Gang
Candy & Denny Laidig
November 7, 2014
November 5, 2014
I am glad that I had the opportunity to get to know Sam. The motorcycle racing community will miss your warm smile, laughs and those god awful green motorcycles of yours. You raced with the best here on earth now your are racing your dreams. Roger Preston
November 4, 2014
I didn't know Sam long but I enjoyed his light hearted humor from the start. What I didn't know, and he probably didn't know either was that Ottie Smith was common in our background. Ottie's was the sponsor of my families short track race car in the mid 80's.
November 3, 2014
Our thoughts are with Jan, Eric and Andy. Sam was truly one of a kind. We had lots of great times together. We will all have plenty of happy memories of a super friend.
Bob & Lani Alloway.
John Sans
November 3, 2014
Thank you ever so much for your support of the Akron Tea Party to the very end. I remember you on the bridge over I-76 in the rain still strong in spirit.
On the podium
Nan Algie
November 2, 2014
Godspeed my friend. I know you are already bench racing with some of the best! You will be missed. Much love sent to Jan and the boys!
Dan and Diana Chivington
November 2, 2014
RIP Sam Williams....condolences to his family..
kerrie Lane
November 2, 2014
Blessings Jan.
Sam Williams in his element.
Pete Smakula
November 2, 2014
So long friend. It was great to share a bunch of motorcycle fun with you over the years. Sympathy to Jan, Andy and Eric for your loss.
November 2, 2014
RIP Sam and condolences to the entire Williams family. From your fellow racers Dorjan & Siu Yan Scott
Timothy Stark
November 2, 2014
To the Williams family. Sam will certainly be missed.
R I P . OLE FRIEND
November 2, 2014
Dear Jan, so sorry to hear of your great loss, you were my favorite teacher at Kenmore HS, and I remember when you and Sam were married. My name was Beth Waite, and my best friend, Glenda Flaker and I were in your 9th grade English class in 68 - 69. Will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Patsy Mallison
November 2, 2014
Dear Jan,
Sorry for your loss!
May you always have sweet memories of your life together!
??
Lana Haney
November 2, 2014
Dear Jan,
Hearing of Sam's passing is so sad! I knew him in school, that's how far back we went! I remember when he met you many years ago! You were like a rock! So many memories! He will be missed by all who knew him! I am so sorry for your loss! One day you will meet up again in a better place, but he will be missed here on earth! Until then, if there's anything you need feel free to reach out!
I know in time you will be okay!
The missing part will always be with you! ?? ??
Ray and Vicki Lukosavich
November 2, 2014
Sending prayers to Jan, Eric, and Andy. RIP Sam. You will be missed by many.
Mark J. Price
November 1, 2014
My deepest sympathies to Jan and the rest of the Williams family. I enjoyed getting to know Sam over the years and always appreciated his assistance with research. He now takes his rightful place with the other Kenmore greats on the silver screen of history.
Lydia Becker
November 1, 2014
My prayers are with you Jan. Sam was a good guy. RIP
Sandy and Mike Donahue
November 1, 2014
We are so sorry for your loss.
danny parsons
November 1, 2014
dear jan,
my heart goes out to you and the rest of the family, I will always hold a special place in
my heart for sam
Helen Rea
November 1, 2014
My prayers go out to the Williams family I will miss you Sam my heart goes out to everyone who knew him.
November 1, 2014
Frank and Gail from OSAG extend our sympathy to Jan and family of Sam. We miss his big smile and always admired his patriotism for our country.
Martin Morrison
November 1, 2014
I have great memories of racing with Sam at Nelson Ledges in the 70's and 80's. He was one of the good guys. My sympathies to Jan and their family.
Dr. Richard J. May
November 1, 2014
On August 6, 1962 (the morning after Marilyn Monroe's passing) about a half hour before sunrise, I was going fishing when I happened upon an overturned auto on Manchester Rd. I didn't recognize the car or driver, but I managed to pull the driver out from under the wreckage and soon learned that it was Sam Williams, a young man I had known from high school. I am pleased that Sam survived that accident and then went on to live a long and happy life. My condolences to Sam's family for their loss. He will be long remembered by many.
Jorja Evans
November 1, 2014
Sam was my cousin. He was a year older than me so I have fond memories of us as children. My sympathies go out to jan at this time. RIP Sam.
Bill and Jaime Billock
November 1, 2014
Thank you for all the lasting memories Sam. Godspeed #47!
Ron & Darlene Baksa
November 1, 2014
Jan and Family, Sharing in your sadness as you remember Sam. There never was anyone quite like him and never will be again. He was a true original.
Ed Savoy
November 1, 2014
Thinking of all the great memories I have of Sam and Jan. I am deeply honored to have been a friend. R.I.P. Sam.
Ed and Hannah Savoy
The Staff & Families of Schlup-Pucak Funeral Home
November 1, 2014
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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