Gary E. Williams

Gary E. Williams, 77, of Great Bend, PA and formerly of Hallstead and Montrose, PA passed away surrounded by family and friends on August 5, 2024.
He is survived by his children, James (Barbie) Williams and Jessica Mathisen; five grandchildren, Kailey, Damon, Courtney, Shila, and Lacey; four great grandchildren, Tristan, Hazel, Carson, and Callum; a niece, Lisa Williams-Morris.
Prior to his retirement, Gary was employed with Trehab as a counselor. He had many various occupations over the years, including modeling clothing, a Certified Life Guard, professionally played basketball briefly and played baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1966, also was employed with Broome County Child Development Council, the Jewish Community Center in phys. ed and sports director, and also worked for Old Mill Village. From a young age, Gary had an interest in horses, horsemanship, and shows. Gary played an active role in the Horse Department at the Harford Fair for a decade. He announced horse shows for a very long time at the fairgrounds. Athletics were a priority from his youth. He excelled in basketball and baseball. Gary started being an Umpire at a young age and did it for fifty-one years where he made life long friends. Some of his best years were spent umpiring and training umpires. Gary thought in black and white, with no gray area, by the book. His motto was, "Make it right!"
Gary was an avid hunter and became a Hunter's Safety Course Educator and served for nearly 20 years. He created the Susquehanna County Youth Field Days held at the Harford Fairgrounds, which was broadcast on Pennsylvania Outdoors. He was a member of the Hallstead Rod and Gun Club and South Montrose Gun Club.
Gary was passionate at the things he loved and was compelled to be the best. He took great pride in educating others to excel to his high standards as well.
Gary was a family man and loved his family with the same kind of deeply committed passion. He will be dearly missed, especially all the hard to believe stories about his life.
A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, August 11, 2024 at the Tuttle-Yeisley Funeral Home, Inc. Hallstead, PA. Friends may call from 2-4 p.m. Please consider memorial contributions in his memory to the Community Methodist Church, P.O. Box 586, Great Bend, PA 18821.