WILLIAMS, John Ross – It is with great sadness we announce the passing of John Williams on Tuesday, February 25th, 2020, in his 67th year surrounded by the comfort of family at home. loving husband, son, father, brother, poppa, and leader. Dear son of Audrey Williams (nee Terry) and the late Don Williams. Beloved husband of Heather Williams (nee Tomilson). Amazing father to Ryan Williams (Allyson) and Brad Williams (Anastasia). Poppa to Jack, Patrick, Teagan, and the late Teddy, Zooey, and Charlotte. Cherished Brother of Cathy (Gary), Louise (Freeman), and the late Elaine. Uncle to many loving nephews and nieces.
John was born in Belleville and raised in Stirling. John met the love of his life Heather Lynn Tomilson at Banff while working at Banff Springs. Married 44 years.
John and Don Williams started Williams Hotels 41 years ago in 1979 with the opening of the Wandlynn Inn in Trenton. They purchased the Four Seasons in Belleville which they operated as a Ramada until it’s sale in 2002 and ran the Wandlynn as a Holiday Inn and then a Ramada until it’s sale that same year. The Best Western was built and opened in 1988.
John and his sons Ryan and Brad purchased the Fairfield Inn and Suites in Belleville in 2004 and sold it in 2019 and purchased the Holiday Inn Express in 2007. They built the TownePlace Suites by Marriott which opened in 2015.
John was a Councillor for the amalgamated municipality of Quinte West from 2000-2003. He ran as a candidate for then Prince Edward Hastings riding for the conservatives in 2004 and lost to Ernie Parsons.
John was mayor of Quinte West from 2006-2014.
The biggest accomplishments by those councils were the YMCA, and the Trent Port Marina. But his biggest accomplishment was the relationship he built with CFB Trenton. When the CFB Trenton colonel was arrested, Johns leadership lead the healing and support of the military and lead a rally in support of the military. John never missed a repatriation ceremony during the war in Afghanistan and lead, with Hugh O’Neil, a fundraising drive of $1.2 million to develop the Afghanistan Repatriation Memorial in Trenton and then with other Honorary Colonels, fundraising for the Lav III monument at the Afghanistan Memorial.
John was involved with many local organizations, charities and service clubs. Chair of the Trenton Memorial Hospital, Chair of Albert College, President of Rotary, and honorary member for life, Chair of QEDC, Chair of OTMPC, Excellence for Life raised $21 million for the Sills Wing of the BGH which John chaired, and Hospice Co-Chair of the fundraising committee with Ross McDougall in which they have reached the halfway mark of $9 million.
John has received many prestigious awards including the Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service with the Canadian Armed Forces which is the highest honour given to a civilian, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and the Paul Harris Fellow Award from Rotary International.
In 2014 John was inducted as the Honorary Colonel of 8 Wing CFB Trenton which he would hold until 2018. In February 2015 he was awarded the Air Commodore Leonard Birchall Award for extraordinary leadership. In March 2016, John and his wife Heather were co-awarded the Quinte Region Guardian Angel Award for their long-time involvement with the Regional Children’s Foundation, Quinte’s Adopt-A Child clothing program.
Funeral Arrangements are in the care of RUSHNELL FUNERAL CENTRE, 60 Division Street, Trenton (613-392-2111). Further funeral details are to be announced. If desired, donations to Hospice Quinte or Eastminster United Church would be greatly appreciated by the family. To share memories of John and for online condolences, please visit www.rushnellfamilyservices.com
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Tuesday February 25th 2020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de John Ross Williams Tuesday February 25th 2020..
Décès pour la Ville:Stirling, Province: Ontario