Gerald L. Williams, 82, of Holton passed away at 11a.m. Monday, August 14, 2023 at the St. Vincent Jennings Hospital in North Vernon.
He was born in Lima, Ohio on July 1, 1941, the son of Monroe and Marcella Konst Williams. He was married to Sarah Ann Shoemaker on June 29, 1963 and she survives. Other survivors include two sons Mark (Robin) Williams of Orient, Ohio and Jeff Williams of Holton; one daughter Ann (Chris) Puckett of Burlington, Kentucky; 4 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; one sister Roseann Basinger of Lima, Ohio; one brother Michael (Mary Ann) Williams of Columbus, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Edward and James Williams.
Mr. Williams was a 1959 graduate of Lima (Ohio) Central Catholic High School. After high school he attended the St. Meinrad Seminary in St. Meinrad, Indiana. He graduated from the Ohio Police Academy and later received his Associates Degree in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati.
Jerry spent his working career in police work, first as an Ohio state trooper, and for 30 years as a railroad detective for the CN Rail Lines. The railroad detective work involved stakeouts as well as investigating train accidents and allowed him to participate in Operation Lifesaver, a program informing the public about railroad-civilian safety. Upon retirement, he and Sarah made their home west of Holton and Jerry was a former member of the Holton Fire Department. He was well known in the community for his involvement in the SE Indiana Woodturners Association, an organization which he helped organize and operate from his home. The Woodturners had made and shipped over 1,000 ink pens to wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. Jerry was also a beekeeper and offered his honey for sale at the end of his driveway with a coffee can to deposit your money in.
Jerry’s wishes were to donate his body to science and a celebration of his life will be held at his home at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 9. Memorials may be given to the SE IN Woodturners in care of the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles.