Rhys J. Williams

Rhys Justin Williams, 80, beloved husband, father, grandfather, teacher, coach, and friend, passed away on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. He was a resident of the Township of Washington, NJ, and was born in New York City on February 28, 1945, to John Glyndwr and Eleanor Williams.

Rhys's life was defined by his deep love for family. He was the devoted husband of Aileen and the proud father of Danielle (Thaddeus) Juchnewich, Kristen (Skylar) Moore, Megan Williams, and Lindsay (Daniel) Rattacasa. His greatest joy was being "Pa" to his cherished grandchildren: Juliet, Justin, Rhys, Jackson, Bronwyn, Kylie, and Ryan. He is predeceased by his brother Tom (Karla) Williams and his sister Wendy (Claude) Flottes. Also survived by Bunny and Frank Giordano, Bob and Debbie Conover, Pat and Sam Sacco and Judy Conover and Rey Flores. He also leaves behind his best buddies, Grant Stier, Rick Pumo and Harry Ganz. He was loved by many loving nieces and nephews here and in France.

Rhys grew up in Leonia, NJ and graduated from Leonia High School in 1963. He was a standout student-athlete, playing baseball and football, and serving as class president. He maintained his class leadership role for decades, helping to organize milestone reunions and developing a scholarship for future Leonia High School graduates.

Rhys attended Denison University in Granville, Ohio, where he earned a B.A. in Geology and Physical Education in 1967. He was a proud member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity and relished attending fraternity and school reunions. He later earned his M.A. in Geoscience from Montclair State University and completed additional graduate studies at CCNY and Stevens Institute of Technology.

Rhys spent his professional life teaching Earth Science at Pascack Valley High School from 1968 until his retirement in 2003. He was equally dedicated as a football and baseball coach, mentoring athletes throughout his career. He was a longtime member of Pascack Valley’s Athletic Hall of Fame committee and was inducted into the Hall of Fame himself in 1996. In 2000, he was honored as the NBIL Assistant Football Coach of the Year. After decades coaching at Pascack Valley, Rhys joined the Northern Valley Old Tappan football coaching staff, along with Pascack Valley colleagues and joined a talented group of new coaches. There, Rhys became a fixture on the sideline as a Varsity assistant coach and as the head freshman football coach — a role in which he thrived. His ability to inspire and develop young athletes left a lasting impact, and his freshmen teams at both Pascack Valley and Old Tappan created unforgettable moments that his former players continue to reminisce about today. Rhys’s spirited "Ah ah" victory song — a lively tradition inspired by Huey "Piano" Smith's "Don't You Just Know It" — became a beloved staple at Pascack Valley pep rallies and post-game celebrations, a tradition he proudly carried with him to Old Tappan and other coaching roles. Later in his coaching career, Rhys volunteered as an assistant softball coach at Westwood High School, and then alongside his daughter Megan at Tenafly High School for ten years.

Beyond teaching and coaching, Rhys was a man of many talents and passions. He owned Rhys J Williams Hardwood Floors before retiring and passing it on to his longtime employees, Jim Campbell and Tommy Ix. He was also known for his remarkable singing voice with a talent for capturing the lead vocals of classic doo wop hits as well as Nat King Cole. Rhys was often called upon to sing at gatherings. Whether at graduation parties, weddings, or even backyard barbecues, it was expected that he would find his way to the microphone (or make one out of whatever was handy) — and his heartfelt performances always delighted those around him. Some of his most treasured moments included serenading his daughters at their weddings. Rhys was known for his creativity, especially in his treasured Christmas card poems, which family and friends eagerly awaited each year. Rhys’s creativity also shone through in his beloved “Ay Ay Ay” limericks, which he wrote and performed to recount football seasons earlier in his career. The chorus, still remembered by many, went: "So let’s hear another one that’s worse than the other one and whirl me around again, Willy."

Rhys’s wisdom, warmth, and quotable advice left a lasting mark on countless students, athletes, and friends. He was immensely proud of his Welsh heritage and devoted to carrying forward family traditions and songs. Above all, Rhys cherished his wife Aileen, his best friend, with whom he spent countless happy hours enjoying their family, listening to oldies in their sunroom, and traveling with dear friends.

Rhys’s memory will live on in the hearts of those he loved, taught, coached, and inspired. Relatives and friends are invited to visit Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, NJ, on Sunday, March 23, from 2-6 PM. A funeral service celebrating Rhys’s life will be held at the funeral home on Monday, March 24, at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be appreciated to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105 or your favorite charity.