Joel Erickson Williams

Joel Erickson (Nick) Williams III, 93, Sandusky, OH, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 12, 2015. Joel was born on July 25, 1922, in Camden, New Jersey, to his parents Joel E. Williams II and Reva M. Williams. Joel's life was characterized by a humble & quiet persona, the highest integrity, hard work, service to community and dedication to his family. Joel was an outstanding Dad who was known by his daughters as the calm and loving stabilizer of the family. He frequently provided his young daughters with fishing, hiking, game/card playing, and swimming outings, and on long-memorable family vacations to Michigan and Florida. He loved to play golf with friends and his daughter Kristi. He was a most devoted, amazing, inspiring and loving father and husband. The bulk of Joel's career was spent working as a Route Man, Sales Manager and Ice Cream Company Manager with Moler's Dairy, followed by Reiter's Dairy, where he missed only 2 days of work in 35 years of employment. Joel was active with Masonic Lodge #734 in Dayton, OH where he was the Lodge Grand Master in 1961. A graduate of Wyoming High School, Wyoming, OH, Joel briefly attended Ohio State University (where he hoped to become a Veterinarian), studying Animal Husbandry, before enlisting in the US Army in 1942. Joel served for 3 years in a Service Battery attached to an Artillery Division of the 73rd Infantry, stationed in Germany and France during World War II. Joel gave Jean Ann Maurer, the love of his life, exactly 1 month and 1 day of notice to wed following his honorable discharge from the Army. Joel thoroughly enjoyed family life with Jean and continued his loving support and care for Jean at home for many years when she developed Alzheimer Disease. Jean passed away in 2010. Joel dedicated himself to providing a secure and comfortable home for his family; serving his church and community through volunteer work at a food pantry; gathering clothing and food for families and children in Appalachia; ushering at church and transporting patients at Miami Valley Hospital. Joel is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Kristi and Steve Hottinger of Huron, Ohio who were Joel's highly devoted caretakers through his later years; daughter and son-in-law Judy and Glenn Gareis (Carmel, Indiana); granddaughters Andria Zimmerman (Chicago, IL) and Danielle (Tim) Jennings (McCordsville, IN); nephews Steve (Shan) Kilian (Dayton, OH), David Kilian (Huntington Beach, CA), Paul Kilian (Dante Cervantes) (Chicago, IL). Joel was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years, Jean Ann Williams; mother Reva M. Williams; father Joel E. Williams II; brother David Williams; mother-in-law Mary (Miranda Maurer) Dils; and sister-in-law Mary Lou Kilian. There will be no calling hours or visitation. A private service and celebration of Joel's life will be held in Dayton, Ohio, with burial in the family plot at David's Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E. Stroop Road, Kettering, OH 45429, (937) 293-4137. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Stein Hospice, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, Ohio 44870, 419-625-5269; or Back to the Wild, Wildlife Rehabilitation Sanctuary, 4504 Bardshar Road, Castalia, OH 44824, 419-684-9539.

Funeral Home:
Kettering Routsong Funeral Home
2100 E. Stroop Rd.
Kettering, OH
US 45429