George C. Williams

George C. Williams, 90, of St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, May 9, 2006 at Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 9:30 A.M. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church, 619 Market St., St. Joseph with Rev. Jon Bendewald officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph with graveside military rites conducted by Coloma American Legion Post #362, VFW Post #1137 of Benton Harbor, and VFW Post #6803 of Watervliet. Friends may call from 5-7 P.M. Friday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or The Lutheran Hour. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mr. Williams was born November 5, 1915 in Royalton Township to Nelson & Anna (Dasse) Williams. On June 12, 1938, he married the former Lorine Tilly in St. Joseph. He served his country in the US Navy during WWII. George retired from Whirlpool Corporation in 1978 after 29 years of employment. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where he served in various capacities over the years. He served on the school board and as treasurer for 30 years for Trinity Lutheran School. George was a member of American Legion Post #163 in St. Joseph, and NAFTS-the National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors. Most of all, he enjoyed his grandchildren and great -grandchildren, traveling across the country to visit them whenever he could. Mr. Williams is survived by his wife Lorine; three sons-Dennis (Judi) Williams of Lansing, MI, David (Nancy) Williams of Baton Rouge, LA, Daniel (Barb) Williams of Battle Creek, MI; his daughter Linda Williams of Benton Harbor; twelve grandchildren-Darren Williams, Julie (Dave) Shook, Derek (Nicole) Williams, Jill (Mariano) Soto, Melaine (Mike) Cooper, Michele (Wayne) Thaxton, Christi (Jay) Daigre, Charity (Garth) Gheradini, James (Darcy) Ashmead, Mechele (Troy) Sutten, Matthew Williams, Mark Williams, twenty-three great grandchildren; and many nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters-Lucille Schuhknecht, & Florence Jaffke, and a great grandson Ethan Williams.