Gary Whittaker Williams

Gary passed away June 3, 2015 in Destin, Florida surrounded by his family. He was born on October 22, 1936 in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa to Joseph and Dana (Whittaker) Williams. Graduating from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1954, he attended the University of Iowa, receiving a BA in general science and a BS in electrical engineering. Gary was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. He was an honor student earning membership in Eta Kappa Nu, Tau Beta Pi and Omicron Delta Kappa. Gary joined the naval reserves in 1954 and was honorably discharged in 1962. While attending Iowa, he met and married his first wife Sandra (Lauger) Williams on June 14, 1958.

He started a long career in business and the computer industry, working first for IBM in 1959. He taught programming and was involved with the installation of the first computerized production facility for John Deere while with IBM.

When his three sons were born, he decided to leave the corporate life and return to his hometown to raise his family in a small town atmosphere. With his father, he opened and operated two "Williams' Clothing" stores in Mt. Pleasant and Burlington, Iowa along with a shoe store. He operated the stores for 25 years with his father and partners. Gary was involved in the community as president of Rotary, a member of the Henry County Industrial Development Council, and was active in the Mount Pleasant merchants association.

When his sons left for college, Gary returned to the computer industry and was able to adjust to the new technology despite a 25 year lapse. He worked for several large companies writing computer code for their inventory, mechanization, and point of sale departments. In 1994, he retired while working for Talbot's Clothing.

After retirement in 1995 he and Sandy moved to Destin, Florida where they lived until Sandy passed away on May 21, 2005. He met and married the second love of his life Nancy (Hartsock) Ross, on September 9, 2006. They enjoyed their retirement, traveling the world and visiting their children, grandchildren, and great grand children all over the United States.

Gary was a member of the Destin United Methodist Church and was active in adult Sunday school and church activities. He volunteered at Sacred Heart Hospital as a cart driver, helped seniors with their income taxes through the library and for 17 years was treasurer of the Kell-Aire Lake Association.

Gary's loves were sailing, bad puns, jazz music, woodworking, community theater, classic movies, history, travel, and most importantly Iowa Hawkeye football. He was a great father and husband and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by parents Joe and Dana and Sandy, his first wife of 47 years. He is survived by Nancy, his wife of 9 years, his sister Connie (Larry) Putney of Mt. Pleasant, his sons; David (Susan) Williams of Destin, John (Kim) Williams of Coralville, Iowa, Charles (Becky) Williams of Cedar Rapids, 8 Grandchildren, and 3 Great grandchildren, 4 step children; Elizabeth Standley, of Butler, Mo., Martin (Libby) King, Lee Summit, Mo., David King of Lee Summit, Mo., and Michelle (Russ) Bright, Independence, Mo., 11 step grandchildren, and 3 step great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends between 9:00 am-10:00 am in the atrium, prior to a memorial service that will be held at Destin United Methodist Church in Destin Florida on Saturday June 20th at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donation to United Methodist Women of Destin, 200 Beach Drive, Destin, Florida 32541, or Mission Love Seeds, 55 Country Club Drive East, Destin, Florida 32541