Noah Williams

Williams, Noah
Dec. 17, 1950 - Dec. 25, 2013
Noah Williams, age 63, passed away unexpectedly at his Sarasota home on December 25, 2013. Mr. Williams was born in Detroit, Michigan on December 17, 1950 to Charlie and Gladys Williams. He is survived by his wife, Mary Jean Glidden-Williams of Sarasota, his mother Gladys, brother Charles and wife Jean, brother Nathan and wife Shelly and brother Bruce and wife Mary all of Detroit. He was preceded in death by his father in 2008.
Noah graduated from Chadsey High School and attended junior college in Detroit. He finished his degree at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan majoring in Opticianry. He taught at Ferris for a short time then went to work for Pearle Vision Optical Company. During his ten years with Pearle, he worked in their optical stores in Michigan and later was promoted to a supervisor. His territory included Pearle Vision stores in Indiana, Kentucky, Wisconsin and central and southern Illinois. Noah was a Fellow of the National Optical Association and a member of the American Board of Opticianry Certified/Charter.
Noah went into private practice in Peoria, Illinois with an associate and later acquired a second practice in Peoria. He made routine house calls to patients in nursing homes, shut-ins and opened his office any time for any patient that had an emergency. While in Peoria he was a member of Toastmasters, raised money for Muscular Dystrophy and was active in sports and target shooting. Noah was certified by the National Rifle Association to teach firearms safety. He played baseball in high school and college and was a relief pitcher. He also coached hockey for grade school children.
Noah and Mary were married in Galena, Illinois and retired to Sarasota in 2007, becoming permanent residents shortly after that. He enjoyed golf and bowling with his neighbors, riding his bike and his morning walk. He attended the Sarasota County Citizens Law Enforcement Academy where he made a few very special friends. He also worked as a deputy for Sarasota County Board of Elections.
During his short retirement he volunteered for the Sarasota County Sheriffs Office working at the Siesta Key office. He volunteered in perioperative transport at Sarasota Memorial Hospital nearing 200 hours of service. He very recently volunteered for the Red Cross but did not yet have an assignment. His true passion was his volunteer work for the City of Sarasota Police Department and his fellow volunteers. He worked patrol two or three days every week and worked special assignments at parades and other city events. He assisted in training new recruits and truly made a difference in many people's lives.
Noah loved baseball, the Detroit Tigers, history, technology, cars and he loved to laugh. He was a devoted and adored husband and was always ready to greet his friends with a joke and a smile. He was raised Baptist, attended the Methodist and Catholic churches and was a true Christian in his daily prayers, words and deeds. He had a very kind soul, a generous nature and will be greatly missed by all that knew him. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Toale Brothers Funeral Home, 40 North Orange Avenue, Sarasota. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to The Community Foundation of Sarasota County, (the Noah and Mary Williams Fund), PO Box 49587, Sarasota, Fl, 34230, or a charity of your choice.