James Williams Obituary

Name: Visitation for James Williams
Start: 2017-01-04T19:00:00.000Z
End: 2017-01-04T21:00:00.000Z
Location: Richards Funeral Home, Inc. - Riverdale

WILLIAMS
James (Jim), died on December 27, 2016 in Ringwood, NJ where he lived for 45 years. Jim was 76 and fought a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. He leaves behind his wife Carol (nee Kleinheinz), and his sons; Christopher Todd Williams and family, wife Yanjiao and son Nathan, and David Williams and family. Jim grew up in Brooklyn, NY with his parents James Joseph Williams and Gladys Williams (nee McNeill) and his brothers, John and Robert and his sister Catherine.
Jim was a physics teacher for 40 years at Henry P. Becton Regional High School, in East Rutherford, NJ and he retired in 2002. He was a cross country coach and track coach and directed the musicals there for over 20 years. After retirement, he continued to make a difference mentoring student teachers for William Paterson University. Jim, with his great sense of humor and energy, loved teaching and working with his students. He was a dedicated and vital man and his passing will be mourned by all who knew him and whose lives he touched. The world was better for him having been in it. It is an unbearable loss to his family, friends and loved ones.
Visitation will be held at Richards Funeral Home, 4 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Riverdale, NJ on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 from 2-4 PM and from 6-9 PM (with a funeral service at 7 PM). Burial will be at Nassau Knolls Cemetery in Port Washington, NY on Thursday, January 5, 2017. In lieu of flowers, donations to the mission work of Christ the King Lutheran Church located at 50 Erskine Road, Ringwood, NJ 07456 would be appreciated.
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Published by The Record/Herald News on Jan. 2, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for James Williams

Sponsored by Richards Funeral Home, Inc. - Riverdale.

9 Entries

John N Kronyak III

March 18, 2017

Peace be with him. What great teacher he was. He'll be missed by many.

Juliana (Martin) Biamonte / Becton Class of 2000

January 4, 2017

Mr. Williams was my favorite teacher. He made students want to learn and not be nervous to ask for help. I still have my "Grammy" award
Mr. Williams Rest In Peace

Jen Thatcher (Bodamer)

January 4, 2017

Carol & family,

My sincerest condolences. I have so many fond memories of Mr. Williams.

He was a FANTASTIC physics teacher. His creative use of acronyms and "the splat factor" have stuck with me forever. In general, his passion and creativity as a teacher were contagious. Year after year, he was able to get students excited to win a "grammy award" (an actual gram weight) if their lab team could "hit the chip." The details are a bit lost in the mists of time, but what I recall is that I somehow was unable to win the grammy but whined and pleaded and cajoled so that he took pity on me and gave me a tenth of gram (which is literally a tiny sliver of metal) as a sort of consolation prize. I treasured that little sliver of metal for years.

I also remember that on 2 days a week we had lab and the other 3 days a week we had study hall. More often than not, I would hang out during our study hall to talk to Mr. Williams about theater. After a few weeks of these talks, he showed up one day with a used copy of Moss Hart's autobiography "Act One." For me. It was (and is to date) one of the most thoughtful gifts I have ever gotten.

And, of course, Carol, you'll remember the LFRDABSNs*, which were amazing and which Diane, Jen K. and I still remember so very fondly.

I am so sorry I can't be there tonight, but you are in my thoughts and heart.

Sincerely,
Jen

*La Fondue Reunion Dinner and Broadway Show Nights

Heather Masch

January 4, 2017

Mr. Williams was easily one of my favorite teachers. I was part of one of the last classes he taught at Becton Regional H.S. (graduated in 2000). He always had a great sense of humor and I always looked forward to his class. He cemented my love of Physics and the sciences.

I still smile remembering the trip to Washington DC he took my class on, not sure who had more fun, us or him.

He will be missed greatly.

January 4, 2017

Carol and Family,

My mother and I extend our deepest sympathies to you. I have many fond memories of "Mr. Williams," as a teacher, play director and being "good people." He was a role model for me and I imitate many of his mannerisms in my daily classes. He taught me to be firm and aggressive when necessary, but always caring. I will always remember "Guys and Dolls, "Gypsy" ('74-'75), and his 6-packs of Coke. I even have the same red and white cooler! It was his influence that got me working with school musicals, so far for 31 years. His memory will live on in the lives of the many people he touched.

Lucinda and Michael Kallimanis

Linda Fajvan (Holgerson)

January 3, 2017

I graduated from Becton Regional H.S. in 1976. I first encountered Mr. Williams as a Freshman. I was standing in the hallway outside of his classroom having a rather loud conversation with a friend at the other end of the hallway. Mr. Williams came running out and said,"Wow, you have a big mouth!I want to see you at the next audition!" I went. It was my very 1st audition ever and I landed the roll of Adelaide in "Guys and Dolls."

I happened to run into Mr. Williams about 20 years ago at Newark Airport. He saw me and yelled, "Adelaide!" We sat and talked and I told him I had gone on to get a B.A. in Theatre and was currently in rehearsal for a production of "The Lion in Winter." I was blessed to be able to tell him what a profound and positive impact he had on my life. I was able to give him a big hug and tell him Thank you. He made such a difference in my life. I am now 58 and still doing Theatre. I will always remember him. ~ Linda (Holgerson) Fajvan, "Class Actress" 1976

Trish Lorusso

January 3, 2017

Great man, teacher & coach! He was my cross country coach for my 4 years at Becton & he truly was the greatest & SO funny! So sad to hear of his passing! May he Rest In Peace.

Vickie Taranto Major

January 2, 2017

Will always remember Mr. Williams with fondness and gratitude. He was an excellent teacher and it was a real pleasure to work with him on the drama productions! He enjoyed working with his students and his sense of humor was second to none. My condolences to his family. We met in the 70's when you hosted a group of us. he is with the angels now smiling down at you all.

January 2, 2017

RIP Mr. Williams.

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