Darwin "Dar" Williams

Darwin (Dar) F. Williams, 102 (just shy of his 103rd birthday), of Peoria formerly of Washington, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Buehler Home.

Dar was born on December 27, 1922, in Peoria to Frank and Bessie (Hutton) Williams. He married Marjorie A. Tursam in Peoria on January 1, 1945. She preceded him in death on October 17, 2013. They were married 68 years.

He was also preceded in death by his parents and three brothers: Orville, Jack, and Ronald.

Surviving are three children, James D. (Arlene) Williams of Honolulu, Hawaii, Dennis E. (Tara) Williams of Oak Island, North Carolina and Diana L. (Ric) Fritz of Dunlap, Illinois; seven grandchildren, Chad Williams, Andrea Williams, Christopher Williams (Amy), Keith Williams (Jennifer), Matthew Williams (Kristin), Kristie Harms (Robert), Anthony Reinboldt(Carrie); and eleven great grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother Ernest (Karen) of Bartonville, IL., and a dear friend, Kenneth Newman (Joyce) of Morton, IL.

After graduating from Woodruff High School, Dar went to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point) in New York in 1943. He graduated in 1944 as a 3rd Engineer with an Ensign Commission in the Naval Reserve. He opted to go the Merchant Marine route and gave up his Naval Reserve Commission. He served in WWII on the Liberty Ship, S.S. William Grayson making two cargo delivery voyages, then he served on the S.S. Lost Hills picking up downed pilots, and finally he made a voyage on the Victory ship, S.S. Winfield for a total of four voyages.

Dar returned to Peoria, after the war, where he worked at Caterpillar, first taking the two-year apprentice course, then working in Tool Design where he retired after 33 years. He joked; he was retired longer than he worked.

Dar was an active member of the Lutheran faith (Our Savior Lutheran Church Washington, IL, most recently) and very involved with many church projects over the years. Dar helped form a youth baseball (Pony) League Team, in Bartonville, IL, as no other league was available in the area after Little League. Besides his church, being with his family, and baseball (especially the White Sox); he enjoyed running, bowling, gardening, and golfing. Golf became his passion, last swinging his clubs at 96 years of age. Dar was very mechanical and could fix or repair just about anything. He survived the Washington tornado in 2013, as well as a broken hip at age 101.

Funeral services for Darwin will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 10:30 AM at Mason-White Funeral Home in Washington, Illinois. Pastor Jack Wilcox, Our Savior Lutheran Church, Washington, IL will officiate. Visitation will be, one hour prior to services. Burial will be immediately following services in Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria, IL.

The family would like to thank the entire staff at Buehler Home, Peoria, Il for their love and care over the past 12+ years, especially the last 6 years in the Nursing Center.

Memorials may be directed to either the church, Alzheimer Foundation, or Buehler Home.