Wellsville, NY - David R. Williams, 81, passed away on Monday, December 14, 2020 at Strong Memorial Hospital with his family by his side. He was born in Wellsville, NY, on October 8, 1939 the son of the late Roger and Gertrude (Yeager) Williams. On August 22, 1959 he married his High School Sweetheart Janet Root, who survives.
David was a graduate of Allentown School. Through the years, he owned and operated Williams Lumber Company, Wellsville Travel Service Inc., Williams Inn, Williams Wines & Spirits, and Big Guy's Party Store. While a longtime resident of Riverview Heights, he and Janet also spent many of their winters in Sebring, FL and, Summers in the cottage they built at Rushford Lake. Wherever they happened to be, all the neighborhoods knew their little dog, Buddy (who misses his and David's daily walk). David believed in the Wellsville Community, supporting local businesses and was fondly known as “Big Guy” by so many. He was the coach of the Wellsville Little League Baseball Exchange team for sixteen years, a member of the Exchange Club, a member of the Wellsville Travel Service Tuesday night bowling team for years, a member of the Wellsville Country Club and Highland's Ridge Country Club where he proudly got a hole-in-one twice! David loved watching most sports, but perhaps was the biggest fan of the Boston Red Sox, when he wasn't busy rooting for the Buffalo Bills, or utilizing his season tickets for the Bonnie's Basketball season. David will be deeply missed by his friends, family, and all who knew him for those fun times of laughter, a night of cards, a rousing verse of God Bless America, or just a visit with a kind and gentle man who loved his wife, family, and friends.
David is survived by: his wife of sixty one years, Janet; four children, Bradley Williams, Connie (Tom) Green, Cindy (Keith) Slep, and Christine (Paul) Clark; seventeen grandchildren (of which he was very proud), Melissa, Heather, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Danielle, Ashley, David, Robbie, Nicholas, Jessica, Cailtlin, Kara, Jordan, Madison, Ashton, Paige, and Bryson. He adored little kids, all of whom seemed to sense something special and instantly warmed up to him, including numerous great grandchildren. David is also survived by his sister, Grace Young; and many brother and sister in-laws, nieces, and nephews. In addition to his parents, David was predeceased by: a sister, Judith Williams; and a nephew, James Young.
Friends are invited to call on Thursday, December 17, 2020 from 4-7p.m. at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville (34 West State Street). A private family service will be held on Friday at 11am but will be available to the public via live stream on the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Facebook page, with a burial to follow in Woodlawn Cemetery. Memorials in David's name may be made to the Wellsville Little League and the ASPCA. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.
