Albert Glenn Williams, 101, of St. Clair Shores, Michigan passed away September 24, 2023 peacefully in the comfort of his own home. Born in Detroit, Michigan on May 5, 1922, the third of eleven children of Leo and Jane (Deldin) Williams. He graduated from Lake Shore High School, Class of 1941.
In 1942 he entered the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II as a gunner in a B-17 bomber. On November 30th 1944, his plane was shot down over Erfurt, Germany. He bailed out and was captured and spent six months as a Prisoner of War in Stalag Luft I. He was liberated in May 1945 by Russian soldiers. The book, “Falling Down For The Count,” chronicles his journals and letters about his war and POW experience.
He briefly enrolled at the Chicago Institute of Arts before returning to his pre-war apprenticeship at Deluxe Tool and Die. He eventually retired from Chrysler Corporation as an engineer.
He married Shirley May Tapert on September 9, 1947 at the Lake Shore Presbyterian Church. They raised their four children in St. Clair Shores, and celebrated 71 years of marriage before Shirley’s passing. Al and Shirley shared a love of spending time with family and friends.
Al was an avid golfer, was a prolific gardener and canned and cooked with enthusiasm well into his nineties. He learned to make the spaghetti and meatballs that his Neapolitan grandmother made that he dreamed of while starving in prison camp. The recipe was passed down through multiple generations and became one of his enduring legacies.
He entertained many with his great sense of humor as he continued along his life journey. He will be greatly missed by brother Raymond; daughters Cindy Mackool-Hill (Tom) and Becky Sroda; sons Glenn (Jessica) and Todd; grandchildren Stacey Dubak, George Mackool (Mary Wojcik), Jillian Stubbs, Jaclyn Sroda and Sam Williams; great-grandchildren Julia Dubak, Richard Dubak and Mason Mackool; and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents Leo and Jane (Deldin); his wife Shirley Tapert; brothers Richard, Leo, Arthur and Harry; and sisters Carmel Maitland, Mary Laws, Leotta Valetti, Jeaneane Wright and Joanne McCutcheon.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 1, 2023 from 3:00 pm to 8:00 p.m. at Kaul Funeral Home 28433 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores, Michigan 48081. A funeral service will be held on Monday, October 2, 2023 beginning with a gathering at 10:00 am until time of service at 11:00 a.m. at Kaul Funeral Home St. Clair Shores Chapel. Casual attire. Please join the family in a celebration of Albert’s extraordinary life. Arrangements by Kaul Funeral Home.
Interment will take place following the service, at Cadillac Memorial Gardens East Cemetery in Clinton Township with honors.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kaul-fh.com for the Williams family.
