It was an honor to have him as an instructor a teacher he made an impact on his students family and friends when you were struggling he was there to make sure you understood He will be missed by his family friends students he went above and beyond his call  Until we meet again at them gates Semperfi 

He was a great inspiration  to many  helping when  needed cared for his students  would give time to anyone in need  was a  great teacher  to his students . Went  above an beyond  his call  this world was blessed to have such an Goodman.  He will be missed from students  an family he made his impact on the people he touch with his heart . We all salute  u sir job well done  see u at the gates. Semperfi 

Sarge made an impact on a lot of lives.some good some bad. But he stood proud of who he was and made jrotc a better class. Though some students went on to be soldiers and some did not they will always Remeber sarges cleaver witts and his never ending lessons he though not only military but life. REST IN PEACE SARGE.will u forever be missed. 

Sarge, as everyone at Trevor Browne knew him was always brightening someone's day  with his wit and sense of humor.  I had a son in Desert Storm and he was my sounding board and moral support during that time.  He was a very special person and will be dearly missed.
Rest in peace Sarge.

SFC John W. Williams was one of the finest men I have every met in my life.  When I started my career in JROTC at TGB his first words to me where "oh hell another Salazar to deal with" which made me both smile and be worried at the same time. I learned quickly what he was meaning about remembering prior students and what hey put him through.  After talking to him and getting to know him over the course of four years I found what a true mentor is. Such an amazing man I can't believe that he had such a huge impact on my life. Thanks to his guidance and wisdom I learned not only how to be a good student but an even better Soldier. I am proud and honored to continue to serve in the same Army as he did for so many years. He will always have a special place in my heart and I will miss him very very much.  SFC Salazar US Army

Ssgt. John Williams was not only my ROTC instructor, but one of the most special people in my life.  He was a strict instructor that earned the trust of his students.  This man was amazing, he was also a good friend of my family, a go to guy if you wanted a secret kept and let me tell you he was damn good at it when he had to be.  Like when I earned 2 fully paid scholarships and I begged him not to tell my parents cause I didn't want to go to College.  He kept that secret until I was already enlisted in the Air Force, then and only then did he tell my Mom who told my Dad.  Yeah that wasn't a fun conversation.  I loved this man, he didn't even get mad when we TP'd his house AFTER I graduated and my Mom was the get away driver.... lol I may forget a lot of things in my life but I will never forget your love, your compassion and the man that was SSgt John Williams.  Rest in Peace my friend, until we meet again.

When I learned of Sgt. Williams passing my colleagues couldn’t help but notice I was upset. How could I not be when knowing someone who had a profound impact on my life is no longer with us. At the time, many of us myself included thought he was strict. In fact it was high expectations Sgt. Williams set for us that we were accountable for & anything less was unacceptable. He saw talent and potential in each of his students that at times we did not see in ourselves. Early on he pushed me beyond what I thought I was capable of & began molding me into the leader I am today. Throughout my years at Trevor Browne he mentored me & I eventually went on to become the first Latino battalion commander, armed drill team commander, & was the third person at that time to be crowned military ball king. Paco as some of us called him could’ve retired sooner. He waited until 2000 so we could finish a chapter & start a new one at the same time. Sarge was the reason I went on to college & even after leaving high school we kept in contact. Even then he told me not to be a bonehead & continued to encourage me. When I earned my masters degree I was asked to speak at my graduation. Although he couldn’t attend, I still gave credit where credit was due & went on to talk about the man who inspired me to find my purpose in life.  To his family thank you for sharing him with us and may Sgt Williams RIP.

John Wesley William's, aka "Sarge" like so many others was a big part of my high school life at TGB and is a person I have often thought about over the years.  Just the other day I shared one of his catchy phrases with the police officers I supervise now. "I dont mean to be indicative, but it is my prerogative, because I have the tenacity and the ingenuity, but that's only theoretically speaking of course!" 

He also was always the one to take the time to build those up that needed it, tear down those that needed it to ensure everyone does their individual best to help the whole team be better.   His humor and professionalism will be missed by all who got to know him.  

Sarge thank you for your service to our Country, and more importantly your service to all the students you helped along the way.  I will never forget you and will always be grateful for the effort and time you invested in not just me but all of us who were blessed to have known you. Rest in piece friend! JROTC from 93 to 96.

Sarge made JROTC one of my favorite classes while I attended Trevor Browne.  I know he impacted my life and so many others.  He brought the best out in so many of us.  The world just got a little darker, with the loss of such a positive role model.  I will always have the fond memories of him yelling "Capri get your rump off my stump".  You will be missed Sarge.  Sorry for the fake grenade.  R.I.P Sarge, go guard the streets of gold.

Sgt.  Williams impacted my life and many others.  He will forever have a place in my heart.  I am saddened to hear of his passing.  I had the honor of knowing him while in JROTC at Trevor Browne.  His humor was my favorite thing about him.  He was a mentor and above all a friend.  I could still imagine him yelling "Munoz!". His memory will never be forgotten.  Thanks for everything sarge!  Your memory will never be forgotten.  

This man made a major impact on my highschool life 85-89. A great role model and a man I'm proud to call a friend. Sgt. William's always had a way to make you laugh even when you were having a bad day. Firm in his leadership and yet so laid back in his delivery. Always brought out the best in his jrotc cadets, and always pushed you to set your sights just a little bit higher even when you felt you were at your peak. It is a honor to have known him. Godspeed Sarge. 

I don’t have an amazing story about Sgt. Williams and I wasn’t his favorite student. I was just a lost kid from a broken home with very low self esteem. I made it pretty much impossible to promote me because I refused to wear that ugly green uniform in the summer heat and I was a bit of a slacker. I’ll however never forget the man that couldn’t brag enough about this little girl that could do her push ups right alongside the boys. I remember the first time he had the Colonel in our class he whispers to the man “Watch this” Then he looks up and gives me the order “Alton drop and give me ten.” It was huge to him that I was on my toes and getting those push ups done just as well as any boy in my class. He made me feel good about myself in those moments and to add to it no matter how bad I was he never expressed any disappointment in me. He was always positive and the only reason I bothered with JROTC for 2 years. Sometimes it’s the little things that make a difference. I won’t say that it’s all because of him that I’ve managed to accomplish everything I wanted in life but I will say that he gave me reasons to feel good about myself and always encouraged me. I have also never done a push up without thinking of my JROTC Sgt. I want to thank his family for sharing him with his students for so many years. He was a wonderful man I know I’m not the only one that is a better person having had been changed by him. I'm sorry that I cannot attend his service to offer my condolences in person. I am sure I am only one of many that will have his family in my thoughts tomorrow morning. 

Alton

I am so saddened to hear of the loss of my favorite JROTC instructor. Sergeant Williams was the life of the party and always a happy face and encouraging word when I walked in the classroom each day. And the several other times I was in the room throughout the day. Those years we were always called “Red” or “George.” I remember Sarge hated camping and didn’t go often, but when he did he slept in the van because he didn’t like being cold or bugs. He used to tell us we could be anything we wanted to be and encouraged us to not stop until we met and exceeded our goals. He knew I’d be the first female Battalion Commander and never let me give up on myself or live below my potential. Thank you, Sarge for all the great advice, the stories, and memories. Thank you for being you. Class of ‘92.

Just found out one of the most influential people in my life has passed away and I didn’t get a chance to say good bye. RIP Sgt. John Williams who was my high school JROTC army instructor at Trevor Browne. Sarge was the first person that saw greatness in me, and helped me see it in myself. As a freshman he told me there had only been one African America Battalion Commander in the school history, and that I would be the second, three years later that prophecy came to fruition and I believed I could do anything in life I put my mind to. I have since be apart of 8 national championship track and field teams as a coach or athlete, was national coach of the year twice, and currently am a private sports performance coach in North Carolina with a #1 ranking for client success and development. He taught me how to be a respectable young man with high expectations and attention to detail. He taught me about humility, courage, loyalty, tact, how to be decisive and dependable, about good judgement, unselfishness, enthusiasm, initiative and integrity. He let me be me, and respected me as a young adult. He listened, he gave advice, he fathered, he mentored, he loved. I was told years ago that he passed away so I stopped looking  for him when I came back to AZ to visit. I am saddened to know he was still alive and I didn’t get the opportunity to say thank you. I would not be the man I am today if it wasn’t for Sargent John Williams. No one person has had more influence in my life as him. To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world,  you meant the world to me, You will be missed. 😢

2 men were standing on a bridge 20 feet over a river taking a leak when one of the men looks over and says “man this water is cold” the other looks back and responds “and deep too!” Circa Sargent Williams 1990-94. He loved telling that joke.

Sergeant First Class Williams US Army Retired, Was one of the first NCO's I had the pleasure of meeting in 1998, when I began my career with the JROTC Program in Phoenix Union High School District. Very Stern, but yet comical individual who taught at Trevor G Browne HS, and was a One Man Show... He was by himself, and his claim to fame with cadets is one name he told them... besides Cadet... It was PACO! I really don't think he sat for one minute when he ran the Drill Competition or classes... Very energetic Sergeant... Rest In Peace Soldier...     

OBITUARY

John Wesley Williams

February 20, 1945 – September 18, 2018

Resthaven/Carr-Tenney Mortuary & Memorial Gardens

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