OXFORD – Frank “Pete” Williams JR, 77, of Oxford, passed away early Friday morning, Nov. 2, 2007 at the Chenango Memorial Hospital.
Born in Gilbertsville in June of 1930, Frank was the son of Frank D. and Beatrice (Hackett) Williams. Following his years in the Guilford and Oxford schools, he went to work on a farm with his aunt and uncle. Over the next several years he worked on area farms, including the Schlaefer Farm in Guilford, spent several years as a truck driver for the Chenango Co-Operative in Oxford, and worked for a creamery in Lisle. During the mid-1960’s he worked part-time for the Oxford Inn. Frank’s last employment was for the Raymond Corporation in Greene, where he worked for 20 years in the maintenance department, retiring in the early 1990’s. He was an outdoorsman at heart, looking forward every year to hunting season when the group from Rome would come down and spend time. He enjoyed camping in his later years, and fishing, and just spending time outdoors with his grandkids. Frank was also known to enjoy a good party. Following the passing of his first wife, Nora Manwarren Williams in 1987, Frank married Beverly Knochenmuss on Sept. 23, 1988, in Oxford.
Frank is survived by his wife, Beverly Williams, of Oxford; his children: Dawn Russell and husband Albert, Norwich, Frank T. Williams and wife Linda of Plymouth, Jay C. Williams of Oxford, Dale A. Williams and companion Lori Jackson of Norwich, Anthony C. Williams and wife Faith of Oxford; his step-daughter, Marlene Couse and companion David Wheeler of Florida; 25 grandchildren, and 31 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters: Mary Ballard of Sherburne; Doris Bush and husband Ervie, Marie Hamilton and husband Eugene, Linda Covell and husband John, Kathy Frayer and husband Danny, all of Oxford; by brothers Ernest Williams and wife Patricia, and Gerald Williams and wife Eleanor, all of Oxford; and nieces and nephews. In addition to his first wife, Nora, Frank was predeceased by his brothers. Bob, Don, Curtis, and Doug Williams.
Funeral services for Frank will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Ralph Hinman, pastor of the Bible Baptist Church of Norwich, will officiate. Interment in the Port Crane Cemetery of Port Crane will take place on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m.
Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Monday from 6 to 9 p.m.