Donald Leon Williams

Donald Leon Williams passed away peacefully at his residence on September 26, 2025 at 4:15pm.

Don was born January 20, 1939 in Newport, IN. He is preceded in death by his parents, Goldie and James Williams, by his siblings Marie McArty, Joseph Williams, Mary Jane Freed, and Paul Hatch, and by his former spouse, the mother of three of his children, Joyce Williams.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Kim Williams of Bowling Green, KY, and by four children: Donita (Jay) Keller of Noblesville, IN, Dawn (Anthony) Henderson of Bowling Green, KY, Darek Williams of Georgetown, IL, and Jeffrey (Susannah) Williams of Cary, NC. Don had eight beloved grandsons: Dustin, Dalton, Daniel, and Duncan Keller and Finn, Eamonn, Ronan, and Callahan Willliams. He has one great-grandson, Jace Keller and several nieces and nephews.

Don began a career in the travel industry by working for Delta Air Lines in Chicago in 1963. He worked his way from slinging bags to the ticket counter, where he had the chance to interact with customers. This led him to go to travel school and start work at a travel agency in Danville, IL. Always a people person, he soon decided to go out on his own and open his own agency, Don Williams Travel, Inc., in 1974. Upon moving to Bowling Green, KY in 1978, Don purchased, owned, and managed Quality Travel, Inc. Throughout the 1980's, not only did Don's travel agency sell many a Bowling Green citizen air travel tickets and cruise vacations, but he expanded into customized group tours. He and his team put together bus tours across North America from New York City to Washington, D.C. to Orlando to San Francisco and all parts between. The tours were tailored for any travel-ready groups: high school and middle school students, senior citizens, businesses, and other groups. In 1992, he purchased United Coaches, Inc. where added a small fleet of buses to his tour business. As the retail air travel industry slowly receded with the advent of the internet in the 1990s, United Coaches became his sole business, which he has run to the present day. Over the years, he had the good fortune to have many wonderful employees, agents, and drivers who shared these journeys with him and helped him build these long-lasting service businesses. Many employees, managers, and clients became lifelong friends and were some of the most meaningful relationships for Don.

Don has been an active participant in many not-for-profits, groups, and clubs. He has been a member of State Street United Methodist Church in Bowling Green, KY since 1985. He served on the Board of Directors for the Boys Club of America, the Hilltopper Athletic Association, the Danville YMCA, the Bowling Green/Warren County Tourism Board, and Bowling Green Country Club. He was a past member of the Rotary Club, the Masonic Lodge, and the Shriners Club. Don was a "charter" member of The Walking Group that began in 1985. He continued the morning walking tradition until ill health prevented him from participation 2021.

Don will be fondly remembered by all those who knew and admired him. His endearing assets were his quick wit, genuine love of people, and dedication to his family.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 4, 2025 with a memorial service conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, at the J.C. Kirby & Son Lovers Lane Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Hosparus Health of Barren River, 101 Riverwood Avenue Suite B, Bowling Green, Kentucky, 42103 or the Building Fund at State Street United Methodist Church, 1101 State Street, Bowling Green, KY 42101.