Howard J. Williams, Jr.

Howard John Williams, Jr, known to many as Howie or Trucker Howie to some, 66 of Toledo, Ohio, went home to be with our Lord on July 16, 2023. He was born on April 24, 1957, in Detroit, MI to Howard and Manya Williams.

Howie was a lifelong Truck Driver and most of those years as an Owner Operator. He graduated from Anthony Wayne in 1975. Howie loved riding his Harley to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to Brockway Mountain in Copper Harbor. Brockway Mountain was one of his favorite places to reflect and spend time-especially in autumn to absorb the beauty of the leaves changing or watching the Northern Lights. Howie loved cooking on the grill and was quite a grill master; cooking everything from meats, cake, bacon and eggs and biscuits.

Howie’s bigger than life personality was loved by many. His laugh was infectious and his innate ability to turn a 3-word sentence into 15 with his colorful language will go unmatched. He loved spending time with his family. He had lots of tea parties with his granddaughter, Ava, reading books to his B-man and he loved taking his grandsons, Bryce, Ethan, and Logan to feed the deer.

Howie took 2 recent trips to the UP-one with his grandsons and another with his daughter soaking up the scenery and time spent together. Howie battled with Stage 4 lung Cancer, diagnosed in September. He fought a good battle and his stubborn, strong personality showed through all the way to the end. It was joked that Howie hung on so long the last few days because when he got to the pearly gates, he and St. Peter had a slight show down including much of Howie’s colorful language. It was extremely foggy the morning of his passing, almost unseeable outside. It sure brought some solace to his family to see that fog as it was indicative of that confrontation and how much hell he stirred up; but we all know he made it through as he went peacefully.

Howie’s passing will leave a vast void to his family and friends, but he will continue to live on through our hearts and memories as we reminisce on our “Howie stories.” I hope when you think of him, you will not be sad but use those moments to allow him to continue living through you with a smile on your face. He could be a gruff man, but through his illness as folks would share their feelings and cheer him on, he would be so touched and emotional and mention he had no idea how many people cared about him; so thank you to all those people who allowed him to feel so loved. It meant the world and he cherished his relationships.

Howard was survived by his mother, Manya Williams; ex-wife of 32 years and best friend of 43 years, Julie Williams; daughter, Anmarie (Timothy) Aldape; and grandchildren, Tyler Williams, Ethan & Logan Fox, Avamarie and Christian “B-Man” Aldape; daughter, Tracy (Fred) Latz; grandchildren, Bryce and Madalyn Latz. He is also survived by 2 sisters and 3 brothers.

A Celebration of Life has been planned for August 3, 2023, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Yager Center at Swan Creek Preserve Metropark (4349 Airport Hwy., Toledo, Ohio at Wenz Road). It will be a potluck (please bring a dish) and come celebrate his life and the stories that will keep him alive!

Have a damn good day, Howie!