Earl Williams

Earl Alvin Williams, 81 FORD RIVER, Mich. - Earl Alvin Williams, 81, of Ford River passed peacefully of natural causes Tuesday, June 7, 2011, at home. Alvin was born April 5, 1930, in Baileyville, Ill., to Charles Aldo and Florence (Tracy) Williams. His siblings include Lela, Harriett, Gene, Doris, Charles, Barbara and Virginia. The family moved frequently but settled on a farm near Adams and Friendship, Wis., where Alvin graduated from high school in 1948. After graduation, Alvin moved to Rockford and began working at National Lock, the world's largest manufacturer of fasteners at that time. That same year, he met Elizabeth "Betty" Marie Tryan, who had come to Rockford from Ford River and was working at National Lock. They married Sept. 9, 1949, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Rockford. Alvin continued to work at National Lock, and eventually became the company's chief metallurgist. Alvin and Betty bought a house and moved to 3316 Wesleyan Ave., Rockford, in 1958. They raised five children, Earl Alvin Jr., Rodney David, Kim Marie, Carolyn Sue and Mark Alan. Alvin also worked part time at the Colonial Village J.C. Penney Auto Center at Alpine Road and Charles Street in Rockford, repairing cars. Working on cars was one of his life's passions. After 39 years, he left National Lock/Metalcrafters and took a position as chief metallurgist with MGF Industries of Rockford. He retired in 1992 and in 1993; he and Betty moved to Ford River. Alvin is survived by his wife, Betty Marie; children, Earl A. (Cheryl) Williams of Stevensville, Mich., Kim M. (David) Swenson of Rockford, Carolyn S. (Walt) Wear of Rockford and Mark A.W. (Sam) Manivong of Washington, D.C.; daughter-in-law, Donna Williams of Rockford; siblings, Charles, Barbara and Virginia; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by his son, Rodney Williams of Rockford; his parents; his brother, Eugene Williams; and three sisters, Lela Dennis, Harriet Milani and Doris Hardin. Devoted husband, loving father, brother, friend: You will be missed, but never forgotten. Service was in Escanaba. Alvin's body was interred at Garden of Rest Cemetery, U.S. 2 and 32nd Avenue North, Wells, Mich.