Williams, John Lee (2/10/2014)

John’s wife, Elizabeth, recently forwarded this obituary from his memorial service that was held a little over a year ago.

John Lee Williams passed away peacefully at his home in Clayton, California on the morning of February 10, 2014. He was born on September 29, 1947 in Orange, New Jersey, and spent the first part of his life in South Orange. He was a graduate of Columbia High School in Maplewood, New Jersey. John moved west with his family in 1968 to San Rafael (Marinwood). John then returned to the East Coast to complete his studies at Dartmouth College. After a stint in the Navy, John settled back in Marinwood while attending law school. After graduation from Golden Gate University, he was hired by the Travelers Companies where he had a long, successful career as an insurance defense attorney until his retirement in 2012. John’s many interests included gardening (his tomatoes were legendary), crossword puzzles, all sports, particularly baseball and football (go Giants and Niners!), and he had an appreciation of red wine, zinfandel in particular. His main focus, though, was his family, and much of his time was spent coaching his children’s sports teams and participating in scouting activities and various school events. He was never happier than when he was with his family. ... John was a very special man and will be much missed by his family, friends, loved ones–really by anyone who knew him. The world is a little less cheery without him in it.