John T. Williams

JOHN T. WILLIAMS WILMINGTON, NC John T. Williams, 89, died Saturday December 15, 2018 at the New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC. He was born January 28, 1929 in Windsor, VT a son of Thomas Dewey and Irene (Kendall) Williams. John graduated from Windsor High School but was already on the road as a pianist with the Mal Hallett Jazz Orchestra at the age of 16. He served in Korea with the US Army Jazz Band and after returning from the war he continued his jazz career playing with the likes of Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Charlie Parker and other jazz greats of that era. In the late 1950's John left the Jazz scene and settled in Hollywood, FL where he worked at the Home Savings Bank and later was the Hollywood City Commissioner. He was responsible for saving much of Florida's east coast's natural areas and even has a park in his name in Hollywood. John's love of Jazz continued throughout his life, and for many years he ran the Hollywood Jazz Festival. He was married to Mary Bush Trunz in 1991 and after some wonderful years in Vero Beach, Fl. moved to Wilmington, NC in 2017 to be close to Mary's son Jonathan. He was predeceased by a sister, Betty Zeigler, and a brother, Robert Williams. He leaves his wife, Mary, of Wilmington, NC; step children Jonathan Trunz also of Wilmington, NC, Mary Ellen Taylor of London, England, Cheryl Shafron of Highlands Ranch, CO and Donna Motise of Wappinger Falls, NY. A graveside service will be held in the Brownsville Cemetery in West Windsor, VT in the spring. John was a huge animal lover and contributions in his memory may be made to Highlands County Humane Society at PO Box 833, Sebring, FL 33871. The Knight Funeral Home in Windsor, VT is entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences may be made to John's family in an online guestbook at www.knightfuneralhomes.com