Don S. Williams

Don S. Williams, son of Frank W. Williams and Joan, was born in 1930 in Dayton, Ohio. Don was the husband of Janet for 70 years, and the father of Cheri L. Williams (Greg Alvarado), Mark (Jody), and Ron (Amy). Grandfather to Kate, Adam, Michael (Jenni), Alissa, Angela, Brad, Chris (Emily), and Taylor (Tommy Carter), and Great-Grandfather to T.J., Andre, Cayden, Maddox, Lacey, Alexia, Quinn, and Zoey. Brother to Alan (Cindy), and Darryl. Brother-in-law to Marcia and Carolyn. He is survived by many nieces and nephews, Sam, Gordon, Brad, James, Jeff, Julie, Mick, Matt, and Jennifer, as well as many friends, fellow car enthusiasts, runners and backpackers. Don was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Bill, sister, Sandy, brother-in-laws, Sam and Jack, and niece, Julia.

Don graduated from Oakwood High School where he was recognized as a distinguished alumni. He attended Washington University in St.Louis before transferring to the University of Tennessee where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Don began his engineering career at the Tennessee Valley Authority during college. After graduation, he worked as an aerospace engineer in the Aeronautical Systems Division at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, managing the development of aircraft turbine engine propulsion. Don was the AF Deputy Director for the engines in the B-1B bombers, several F-15 and F-16 variants, cruise missiles, and many more. His accomplished career gave him a great affinity for the turbine engine.

First and foremost, his passion was for cars. He owned over 100 cars in his lifetime. Don spent every spare moment of his life on his beloved hobby of restoring and showing antique classic cars. He favored vehicles from the 1940s and 1950s, focusing on British-made cars. Don won hundreds of car show trophies over 60 years, highlighting his incredible attention to detail, mechanical talent and deep restoration expertise.

His keen interest in engines and sports car racing combined in 1968 when Don joined the Howmet TX racing team for the first and only winning turbine-powered sports car. The team raced at the 24 Hours of Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring, and 24 Hours of Le Mans. Later, in 2001, Don joined the McMeekin Brothers racing team that built a race car with a fuel-altered engine. He drove it and set land speed records in 2006 and 2007 on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

Don engaged his grandchildren in racing when he initiated “Grandpa’s Soap Box Derby Racing Team”. Three of his grandsons and two granddaughters participated in Soap Box Derby races for several years. In 1999, a grandson placed first and a granddaughter placed second in the Dayton Soap Box Derby. Don traveled to Akron with his grandson to assist him as he competed in the National Soap Box Competition.

Don was an avid long distance runner and triathlon competitor.

The Boston Marathon was his favorite race, which he ran six times. He also competed in the Bermuda, London, New Orleans, and NYC marathons. He placed first in his age group in over 400 of his 576 races. Don made sure the sum of his running mileage was greater than the circumference of the Earth - 24,901 miles.

Don loved the outdoors. It was an interest established from his early years in the Boy Scouts. He traversed over 2000+ miles of the Appalachian Trail, often backpacking with his sons or grandsons. They would also explore the Grand Canyon, go white water rafting, and investigate the caves of Kentucky together.

The Boy Scouts of America was a large part of his family’s life for over 35 years. He earned his Eagle Scout award. Don served as Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster for his brother, nephew, sons' and grandsons' troops.

He also was a coach or assistant coach for his nephew, sons’ and grandsons’ baseball teams.

Don’s life was filled with adventure and speed as a race car driver, long-distance runner, triathlete, mountain climber, coach, pilot, white water rafter and parachutist. He lived his life with a dry wit and a “need for speed”. Just the way he liked it.

A visitation for Don will be held Thursday, March 27, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Kohler Center, 4572 Presidential Way, Dayton, Ohio 45429. A celebration of life will occur Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Kohler Center. A burial will occur at Centerville Cemetery.