Douglas Gregory Williams

Douglas Gregory Williams was born on May 10, 1949 in Warren, Ohio. He was a graduate of Warren G. Harding High School and earned a Bachelor of Science from The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio in 1971. He was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity. As an education major, he student-taught at Grove City High School. There in the teacher's lounge he met Cathy Hess who was substitute teaching. He made a bet with his supervising teacher that he could get a date with her and he invited her to May Day at OSU. She accepted. When she drove into the fraternity parking lot with her blue mustang convertible and picnic lunch, he knew he would marry her. Weeks later they were engaged.

They were married January 8, 1972 in Columbus and immediately drove to South Florida where he joined his father at A.A. Sales, Inc., a family business. They were stocking distributors of steel strapping, banding and industrial packaging materials. He made friends with not only his suppliers, but also with his competitors and was still working at the time of his death.

Doug loved to golf and was a member of Lago Mar Country Club in Plantation, Fl. His favorite place to visit was Walloon Lake, Michigan and he was an avid fisherman of small mouth bass . He also enjoyed traveling and his favorite trips included a late honeymoon Mediterranean cruise, a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land and of course trips "across the pond" to see his grandson, Samuel. His greatest pride came from his family and he ardently supported all of their endeavors. He made it possible for Cathy to graduate from seminary and become an ordained United Methodist minister. He spent hours on pool decks volunteering and cheering for his son Douglas as he swam competition from the age of 5 through college. He sponsored and helped coach his son Paul's baseball teams from t-ball to middle school and was proud of Paul's achievements on the golf course in high school and college. He planned for and supported both boys as they completed undergraduate college and earned advanced degrees. He was incredibly proud of their accomplishments. There never was a more loving and devoted son, husband and father.

As Cathy served from church to church, he volunteered at all of them, mostly on the finance committees. At Everglades Community Church United Methodist, he was also involved on the Relocation Committee to help the congregation as they look for a church home that impacts children and youth and would serve as a mission outpost for the South Broward Community and the world.

Douglas is survived by his wife Catherine Hess Williams, son Douglas G. Williams Jr., his wife Caroline and grandson Samuel and son Paul Allen Williams and his wife, Susan. He is also survived by his mother Barbara Bogan Williams, his sister, Joy Beth Williams and brother Bill Williams and wife Jane.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Everglades Community Church's capital campaign for purchasing a church home. The fund is called "Journey of the Heart" and simply write "Journey" on the memo line. Or you may donate to a charity of your choice in his memory.