John A. Williams

1929 - 2025

Williams,

John A.

June 29, 1929 - July 28, 2025

John A Williams passed away peacefully on Monday, July 28th in Sarasota, Florida in the loving company of his wife of 42 years, Ann Trainer WIlliams. John was born in Buffalo, NY the son of Reginald Victor Williams and Elizabeth Prout Williams. John attended Nichols School where he later served on the Alumni Board of Trustees from 1964 - 1976. During his time as a Trustee he was president of the Long Range Planning Committee and was instrumental in advancing the school to become coeducational in the short term rather than the long term. He received the Distinguished Alumnus award in 1977. John served on other boards in his lifetime including University of Buffalo and Marine Midland. He was also a long term member of the National Dental Association where he served as president for more than one term. After attending Yale University John served in the US Navy as a Lieutenant JG during the Korean War. After the Navy John took over as president of the family business Williams Gold Refining Company and remained president until the company was sold in 1986. John had a lifelong passion for sports and coached winning Peewee and Bantam hockey teams. John's deepest passion besides that for his wife Ann was flying. Before he could legally fly he built model airplanes and later passionately flew radio-controlled model airplanes after he could no longer pilot himself due to health reasons. John started flying in college and twice in his life owned private planes, both twin and single engine, in which he flew his family and wife Ann to exotic locations. He was a long-standing member of of the Buffalo Chapter QB Hanger. John is survived by his wife Ann Trainer WIlliams, his daughter Emily Williams Reynolds, his son J Scott Williams, his 5 grandchildren, and his three great grandchildren as well as his wife's children whom he loved as his own: David Mayer, Libby Mayer Bradshaw, and William Mayer, six grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. John was predeceased by his son Alexander Duncan Williams (Chip), his sisters Donna Klopfer, Georgia Kells, and brother Reginald Victor Williams Jr. A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 19 at 10:00 a.m. at All Angels By The Sea Episcopal Church, 563 Bay Isles Rd, Longboat Key, FL.