Richard E. (Dick) Williams

Richard E. (Dick) Williams, 91, of Conneaut Lake, passed away peacefully at home Thursday, December 1, 2022 with his loving and devoted wife Jan by his side.

He was born October 24, 1931 in Meadville, a son of Henry L. and Ruth Bailey Williams.  He married Alice Elaine Dennis in Ripley, NY in 1952 and she preceded him in death February 21, 1964.  Dick later married Jeannette L. (Jan) Zurovchak of Espyville on March 31, 1973.  They were happily married for over 49 years.

Dick received his high school education from Conneaut Lake and Meadville High Schools.  Initially, Richard was employed at Westinghouse in Meadville for 8 years and then he went on to work 33 years at PennDot where he retired as a Transportation Manager II.

Dick was a member of the Elks Lodge, a member and past president of the Conneaut Lake Lions Club, a charter member of Conneaut Lake VFD Station 3, Iroquois Club, American Society of Highway Engineers, Pierce-Arrow Club, Conneaut Lake Area Historical Society, was a former grand marshal of the Conneaut Lake Pumpkin Fest Parade, former member of Conneaut Lake Park Board, and former president of the Crawford County Baseball League in the 1960s.  Dick was the last surviving charter member of the Greenwood Township VFD where he served as assistant chief in 1956 and as fire chief for 6 years.

He had many interests and hobbies although his love and devotion to his family was of utmost importance to him.  Dick was an avid antique and modern car collector, owning over 30 classics and antiques.  He enjoyed driving his antique cars in parades with Jan or his kids alongside him throwing candy.  His friends and family relished in him sharing the story of his first parade experience in which he drove a 1923 Ford he purchased for $25 at the age of 17.  Dick passed down his love of sporty cars to his kids.

Dick expressed his entrepreneurial spirit as he dabbled in real estate/business investing, with the focus on revitalization.  Richard had a knack for discovering bargain properties to flip, before flipping was ever nouveau.  Most notably, he purchased and renovated the Masonic Building, Meadville and both the Strawberry Mall and Subway buildings in Conneaut Lake.

He was an avid baseball player in and after high school, playing for and founding the “Geneva Team”.  He later managed a team that became a part of the Crawford County Baseball League.  Dick was affectionately referred to as “Spike” by his teammates.  He also established and played in the Highway Golf League at Conneaut Lake Park Golf Course.  He was a lifelong fan of the Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Browns and game days were looked forward to with great anticipation.

A little-known fact about Dick is that he was once an avid deer hunter, bagging a number of bucks including one in 1953 hours after his first son was born.

Among some of Dick’s fondest memories were spending time with his wife in Naples, Florida living the “snowbird” dream.  He looked forward to visits from friends and family from “up North”.  A highlight of his life was witnessing perhaps the most memorable home run in baseball history live, Bill Mazeroski’s 9th inning home run in 1960 at Forbes Field.  His “Stock Club” was observed conducting regular meetings held at the Wayside Inn and later Station 3.  Dick so appreciated the camaraderie of the friends he visited there and the hospitality of the wonderful staff of Station 3.

Survivors, in addition to his loving wife Jan, include three children, Richard T. (Rick) Williams (Alice) of Meadville, Janice K. Courtney of Meadville and her former husband Bob of Atlantic, and Michael J. Williams (Jess) of Tampa, FL; six grandchildren, Adam Williams of Meadville, Brock Williams (Tricia) of Navarre, FL, Ryan Courtney of Atlantic, Dr. Lindsay E. Courtney-Interdonato (Mike) of New York, NY, Hailey Williams of Tampa, FL, and Harper Williams of Tampa, FL; a brother, Lary L. Williams (Winifred) of Meadville; several nieces and nephews; and beloved cat Buddy.

He was preceded in death by his first wife Alice Elaine Williams; his parents, Henry and Ruth Williams and siblings, Darwin C. Williams (Sib), Dolores Wilson (Harry), Audrey Williams, and Craig Williams both deceased at birth, a special aunt Pearl Shadley and niece Thomasine Bittler.

Calling hours will be Monday, December 5th from 3-6 p.m. at WAID-COLEMAN FUNERAL HOME, 12422 CONNEAUT LAKE RD., CONNEAUT LAKE where a funeral service will follow at 6:00 p.m. with Rev. Harry Zurasky officiating.  A celebration of his life is being planned for a later date.

Memorials may be made to Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee, P.O. Box 195, Conneaut Lake, PA 16316; Conneaut Lake Area Historical Society, P.O. Box 425, Conneaut Lake, PA 16316; or Conneaut Lake Lions Club, 12212 Midway Dr., Conneaut Lake, PA 16316.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.waidcolemanfh.com