John R. Williams Jr.
PHIPPSBURG – John R. Williams Jr., 73, of Phippsburg died peacefully at home on Dec. 28, 2019 surrounded by his loving family. John was born on Nov. 21, 1946, in Bath, to John and Edna Williams.
John was educated in the Bath school systems and enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 17 as a heavy machine mechanic. He served one tour in Vietnam (1969-1970) with MACV. John retired after 23 years of service as a master sergeant. He also retired after 20 years working as a pipe fitter at Bath Iron Works. John married Karin B. Edinger on Nov. 1, 1967. John will be remembered as a man who loved to hunt and fish with his friends and family.
He made an annual fishing trip every May to Jackman. He loved camping, especially at Acres of Wildlife where he went every year with his family over the 4th of July week! John loved having coffee and donuts with his VFW and American Legion buddies. He enjoyed doing community service projects like the library to go houses and working with the students in the academic class at Morse High School. John used the funds he raised at a local BINGO hall to fund the various community service projects. John loved hosting his annual Christmas party, with Karin, and loved building his Christmas village. John loved traveling with Karin and his family to fairs. John was a terrible joke teller though he loved to tell stories and jokes to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
John was involved in various groups including the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Brunswick and Phippsburg, Phippsburg American Legion, Phippsburg Sportsman’s Association, and the Odd Fellows of Bath.
John and Karin were happily married for 52 years and together they raised five daughters, Regina Graham and her husband Rick of Brunswick, Michelle Saxby and her husband Chris, Andrea Tebben and her husband Chris, Sandra Coffin and her husband Aaron, and Shannon Giggey and her husband Marc all of Bath. John and Karin have 16 grandchildren, Crystal Rubino, Richard Graham, Tiffani Crosby, Kristin MacMurray, Sharon Scammacca, Elizabeth Duenne, Jessica Alexander, Dustin Graham, Brittany Williams, Daniel Saxby Rachel Giggey, Marc Giggey, Jeramy Giggey, Christopher Tebben, Levi Giggey Alyssa Giggey; as well as 18-plus one and counting great-grandchildren.
John has two brothers, Franklin D. Williams (deceased) wife Deborah of Bath, and Steven B. Williams wife Patti of Springfield.
John leaves behind many extended family members including his aunt, Shirley Pouliot of Albany, N.Y.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, Jan. 3, 2020 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the David E. Desmond & Son Funeral Home, 638 High Street, Bath. A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home.
To share your thoughts and condolences with the family, visit www.desmondfuneralhomes.com
In lieu of flowers family is requesting donations be made in John’s name to the:
VFW Post 7738
Pitman-Morrison
Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 725
Bath, ME 04530
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less