Joseph Edward Williams' Obituary
Joseph E. Williams, 87, formerly of Falls Church, Virginia, and Roseville and Oroville, California, passed away December 7 at Heritage Harbor Health and Rehabilitation Hospital in Annapolis, Maryland, after a brief illness.
Born in Fairmont, West Virginia, May 10, 1924, he enlisted in 1943, and served in Europe with the U.S. Army Air Corps through the war's end. He then worked on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. In the 1950's he enjoyed flying single engine aircraft, and served as commanding officer of the Fairmont Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol. He graduated from Fairmont State College, and in 1961 began a thirty-year teaching career, all at Kenmore Junior High School in Arlington, Virginia.
He was active in the parent boosters association at George Mason High School in Falls Church, serving as its president several years in the early 1970's. He also was a past governor of Moose Lodge Chapter 1253, Bailey's Crossroads, Virginia, and was the Arlington Lodge's Moose of the Year in 1997. He was also a past member of BPOE Arlington/Fairfax Lodge 2188, the American Legion, Unit 176, Springfield, Virginia, as well as a current member of Elks Lodge 2103 in Carmichael, California. In his later years he was a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary based in Sacramento, California.
He was preceded in death by his wife of fifty years, Maxine Williams. He is survived by his second wife, Mary Williams of Oroville, California, and by his daughters, Pam (Martin) Blumenthal of Arnold, and Debra (Jon) Wood of Severna Park; and five grandchildren, Lisa Blumenthal of Strongville, Ohio, Matthew Blumenthal of Baltimore, Katherine Wood of Indianapolis, and Benjamin and Samuel Wood of Severna Park. He is also survived by two step-sons, Eric (Elizabeth) Koster of Roseville, California, Andrew Koster of Oroville, California, and a step-granddaughter, Ava Koster, also of Roseville.
Interment of the ashes will take place in Morgantown, West Virginia, by the family at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum, 901 West Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21223 (www.borail.org) or Moose Charities Inc., 155 S. International Drive, Mooseheart, Illinois 60539 (www.moosecharities.org).
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