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Michael Williams Obituary
He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Oct. 1, 1939. He was the son of the late William Williams and Grace (Iffert) Williams-Beneri.
Mr. Williams attended St. Paul’s in Jersey City, N.J., and St. John’s Prep in Brooklyn. He then went on to acting school for two years before joining the United States Army in 1960. He served for four years and met his first wife, Marina (Berg) Williams, while stationed in Germany. They returned in 1964 when he was honorably discharged; Marina passed away in November 1977, and he married Claire (Langner) Williams in April 1978.
A varied career path led him from being a thespian to Army man to finance specialist and banker, leading ultimately to the position he was most passionate about, executive director of the Bennington Chamber of Commerce, a position which he held for 18 years, until April 1999. He continued managing the event currently known as the Bennington-Hemmings Car Show.
Survivors include his wife, Claire; three children from his first wife, Meike Williams of Los Angeles, Calif., Mark Williams of New York City and Nicole Williams of Tucson, Ariz.; and his stepfather, Fred P. Beneri of Utica, N.Y.
He enjoyed reading, classical music, crossword puzzles, his family and many friends, a good loaf of bread and dump picking. A man of few words, he is deserving of more words than this page can hold.
A celebration of the life of Michael B. Williams will be held Friday, July 14, 2006, from noon to 3 p.m., with words of remembrance at 1:30 p.m. at the Knotty Pine Motel on Northside Drive in Bennington.
Parking for the service will be on Hicks Avenue.
Visiting hours at Hanson-Walbridge Funeral Home will be held Thursday afternoon, July 13, 2006, from 3 to 6 p.m., when the family will be in attendance. If friends desire, memorial gifts in Michael’s memory may be made to the Shriners Hospital, c/o Hanson-Walbridge Funeral Home, P.O. Box 957, Bennington, VT 05201.
To send e-mail condolences, visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are under the care of Hanson-Walbridge Funeral Home, 213 West Main St., Bennington.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Michael Williams
Gary & Cindy Allen
July 16, 2006
Claire,
Cindy and I just heard of Mike's passing and we are saddened beyond words for all. Catamount Bank memories are still vivid but especially the hot-air-balloon rides with Mike and I in chase. What wonderful memories. Bennington and the world have lost a real gentleman. Sleep well old friend. With our sincerest condolences.
Gary & Cindy Allen
Mocksville, N.C.
Maggie Swift
July 15, 2006
Nikki, Meike and Mark,
Sending thoughts love and prayers of comfort for you and your family.
Susan Weber
July 14, 2006
Dearest Nicole,
I am so saddened to hear of your father's death. You are in my heart with all my warmth and love. Susan
Robert DuGrenier
July 13, 2006
Mark,
So sorry for your loss. It was a pleasure working with both you in NYC and your dad through the States RMO. Please keep in touch when you have a chance.
Regards,
Robert DuGrenier
Vanessa Kohlhaas
July 13, 2006
Nicole,
I am sending you my love and support. My thoughts are with your father, Claire, Meike, Mark, and you.
All my love,
Vanessa (aka "Vegan")
Frank Sutton
July 13, 2006
To the Williams family, I was very saddened to hear of Mike's passing. A Brooklyn boy whose enthusiasm and love of life spread to his family.He will be missed by all in and around Bennington.Prayers to all the family.
Allison (Sherwin) Golden
July 13, 2006
Dear Mark, Nikki, and Meike -
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and love to you all.
Allison
larry sherwin
July 12, 2006
Dear Claire, Meike, Mark and Nikki: I am shocked: it will not seem real for quite some time. I have very fond memories of Mike and the Family and will always picture him - and you all - on Cider Mill Road. You were wonderful neighbors. My love and affection to you all. Larry Sherwin.
Renee Beaupre White
July 12, 2006
Dear Meike,
I am so sorry to hear this news. Sending you my warmest thoughts and keeping you all close in my heart.
With love,
Renee
robert e mitchell
July 12, 2006
To the Williams family---Mike was a great gentleman and a great credit to his community and his fellow citizen.Continue to live with his many pleasant memories.God bless you in this time of sarrow. Bob Mitchell
Lori Pascarella
July 12, 2006
Nicole, Meike and Mark,
I am so sorry you lost your Dad,
my thoughts and prayers are with
you during this difficult time
of grief. May your memories bring
you comfort.
Sincerely,
Patricia Ann McCready
July 12, 2006
Claire,
Tom and I were saddened to learn of Mike's passing. I know how much you and all his family, friends and actually all of Bennington will miss that tilt of his head and the quizzical look he was so famous for. He worked so hard at the Chamber putting Bennington's best forward, for all to see. He will be missed....
Please accept our condolences.
Kimberly Holland
July 12, 2006
Claire,
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Leslie LeBarron
July 12, 2006
Meike,
With deepest sympathy to you and all of your family.
Bronwen Orner
July 12, 2006
Meike - I was so sorry to hear about your Dad. It seemed very sudden. All the Sherwins send their love to you and Claire, Mark and Nikki.
Love, Bronwen
Marie & Mike Miller
July 12, 2006
Claire
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Pat Moulton Powden
July 12, 2006
Claire and kids,
I can't express how sad I am at this news. I know Mike would not want us to be sad, but I can't help it. My thoughts and prayers are with you and I will see you very soon.
With much love,
Barbara Bennett
July 12, 2006
Bennington has lost another legend. Mike was a great guy...full of life and an easy laugh. My sympathy to the family and friends who will miss his gregarious personality. Rest in Peace Mike Williams.
rita mcphee-fusco
July 11, 2006
Claire and family,
We are so saddened to learn of Mike's death.
Our memories of Mike are happy ones, too...
Please know that we are thinking of you.
Rita and Phil
Peggy Morache
July 11, 2006
Claire and Family:
Ed and I are so sad to learn about Mike. We have such fond memories of our time with you and the Chamber. Mike was a singular personality and just the thought of him makes us smile. You have our warmest thoughts and love.
Bill Elliott
July 11, 2006
Claire and family,
I just learned of Mike's passing. Linda and I want to express our sincere condolences. I was just thinking of Mike and the old Catamount Bank group the other day. What fun we had! If there is anything that we can to do to make this difficult time more bearable please let me know. We live in Harrisville N.H. and my E-Mail address is [email protected] God bless you all.
Bill Elliott
LORI JELLEY
July 11, 2006
Meike, My thoughts and prayers are with you through this difficult time.
Kristie Quackenbush
July 11, 2006
Claire,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Stephanie Dunn
July 11, 2006
Claire and family,
I am very sorry to hear of Mike's passing. He was a great guy. Claire, if you need anything, I hope you know that we are all here for you.
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