Trenton Lewis Williams

September 30, 1939 - May 17, 2012

Trenton Lewis Williams slipped peacefully away at home on Thursday morning, May 17th.

He was born in Pike Township, Pennsylvania, on September 30, 1939, the second of three sons, to Leam (Smith) and William “Glenn” Williams. His family moved to Columbia Station, Ohio, where he graduated from Columbia High School.

Trent joined the U.S. Navy in1958, serving aboard the USS Fort Snelling in the Mediterranean. On his return, he married Barbara Morrison with whom he had four children and celebrated 51 years of marriage. Before moving to Sarasota, Florida, in 1971, they lived in Olmsted Falls, Ohio where he owned a business and served as a volunteer firefighter.

Trent was a man of many talents, a true craftsman who was able to build and repair almost anything. As a young man, he became a journeyman carpenter and polished his skills in the construction trades. Over the years, he and Barb operated several businesses including a retail plumbing and service company, a home remodeling company, an auto repair shop, a pet store, a pizza shop and, for the past 15 years, an imported food distribution service.

A water lover, he bought his first boat almost immediately upon arriving in Sarasota. Life on the water, whether fishing, running a dive trip for his sons or just pulling onto a sand bar, was a great day for him and his family. He eventually earned his captain’s license and volunteered for the local Coast Guard.

Over the past decade, Trent restored vintage motorcycles for collectors and his own enjoyment. The pride he took in his work was frequently rewarded on the show circuit with top place trophies. He and Barb enjoyed participating in various charity runs with local cycling groups. If not in his garage working on a bike or helping others with theirs, Trent spent his spare time riding, fishing in the bay or spending weekends with his family.

Trent is survived by his wife, Barbara; sons Jeff (Diane) of Cary, North Carolina, and Greg (Jane) of Bradenton; daughters Sandy Anderson and Lynda (Dale) Moore, both of Sarasota; nine grandchildren: Jonathan, Taylor, Emmary, Ellyson, Jimmy, Jessica, Summer, Tommy and Kevin; and his brothers Clinton and Douglas of Olmsted Falls, Ohio.

A memorial service and inurnment will be held at 11:00 Friday morning, May 25th, at Palms-Robarts Funeral Home and Memorial Park on Honore Avenue, in Sarasota.

Flowers are welcome or a memorial donation may be made to the American Kidney Foundation – www.kidneyfund.org

A reception will be held in the family home following services.