J. Larry Williams

J. Larry Williams, age 78 of Hope, died Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at his home.

The son of the late Jack and Lola (Burkey) Williams was born April 8, 1936 in Saginaw. Larry was raised in Midland. He graduated from Midland High School in 1954, received a Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1958 and an MBA in 1960. On April 8, 1961 he married Katherine Wade in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Larry began his 26 year career with the Dow Chemical Company in 1960, working there as a chemical engineer until 1986. He then worked for Nova Chemical for eight years and Kalsec in Kalamazoo for 5 years, retiring in 1999. Larry was a long time member of the Midland First Baptist Church and the Kiwassee Kiwanis. Larry was an avid reader who enjoyed words and word games, especially crosswords, with his wife and grandchildren. Larry enjoyed traveling, being at the lake, presidential history trivia, and a good meal with "a little of both" for dessert. In an uncertain age, he was faithful to his family and his commitments and told his family they were loved.


He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 54 years, Kathy; sons Jay (Lisa) Williams of Atlanta, GA and Wade (Kim) Williams of Athens, GA; daughters Nina (Joseph) Kim of Lancaster, PA and Alice (Scott) Perry of Peachtree City, GA; grandchildren Molly, Colleen, Laura and John Kim, Josephine and Durham Williams, Katherine Perry, Jessica and Jillian Williams; sister Mary Kate (Jerry) Dutcher of Hope. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his sister Rebecca Thompson.

Funeral services for Mr. Williams will be conducted at 11:00 am Wednesday April 8, 2015 from the First Baptist Church with the Reverend David Brown and Dr. Joseph I. Mortenson Officiating. Interment will be in the Midland City Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Wilson MILLER Funeral Home Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 and at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 am until time of service.

Donations in Larry's memory may be offered to the First Baptist Church, the Kiwanis of Michigan Foundation or Senior Services. Personal messages of condolence may be offered at www.wilson-miller.com