Joseph Williams, Jr.

Joseph E. Williams Jr. 73, of Perrysburg, Ohio, passed away peacefully, Saturday, July 6, 2024 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Toledo, Ohio on May 17, 1951, to Joseph Sr. and Wilma (Hogan). Joe was raised in Sylvania Ohio and was a 1969 graduate of Sylvania (Northview) High School. Joe took auto shop classes in HS and became a very good mechanic. He could repair just about any car or machine. From an early age he and his dad worked on many cars and projects including doing various odd jobs for family, friends and neighbors.

Joe served as a volunteer fire fighter and an auxiliary police officer with both the Sylvania Township Fire and Sylvania Township Police Department in the late 60 ‘s and early 70’s.

Joe’s full-time career became that of a diesel truck mechanic, working at several trucking companies throughout the area. He spent most of his years at Jones Transfer on Manhattan Blvd.

Joe met his wife Marci in 1968, and they were married in 1972. They celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary in January 2024. Joe said when they were married 30 years…“You can’t get a better ride at Cedar Point than being married to Marci!”

Their family started to grow, and they welcomed both of their sons with much joy and true happiness. Corey and Adam often felt their dad had led a very full life and we all agree that he did. They traveled to 39 states mostly with their sons, which included many national parks, monuments, amusement parks, little holes in the wall towns and the big cities, including many pro baseball, basketball and hockey games. They were never bored on any of these vacations and road trips. The stories are endless.

Joe and Marci also embraced their son’s wives. Corey and Jenni Williams and Adam and Jessica Williams These ladies held a special place in Joe’s heart. They were a much-welcomed addition to the family.

Joe and Marci fell head over heels in love again when Corey and Jenni presented them with grand girls Ryleigh and Addison. Both girls called him PaPa Joe ever since they could talk…and it is a name he cherished every day of his life. Those two girls meant the world to him. He loved them to the moon and back and beyond.

Joe and Marci moved to Arizona in 2007 and both worked until they retired and moved back to Perrysburg in 2019.

However, Joe underwent a prostate biopsy the Monday before Thanksgiving and was diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer that had already spread. The news was heartbreaking and shocking for the entire family as it was unexpected and with no symptoms. They made the decision to stay ‘home’.

Joe was an amazing patient and went to every radiation and chemo appointment, got every injection, blood draw, took all the medications prescribed, did all the CAT and PET scans and anything else he was asked to do to keep as much of a quality of life as possible.

Joe entered home care with Hospice of Northwest Ohio in late March to provide him comfort and care and again he accepted that decision. Many times, Joe said he was thankful for the almost 4 years he had survived the cancer…given the beginning prognosis of 3-5 years and he was grateful for the time that he had gotten.

The family would like to extend our deepest appreciation to Dr. Dean Bailey and Dr. Bradley Buck, The Mercy Cancer Center of Perrysburg Ohio, especially, Dr. Suketu N. Patel and Dr. Mohamad A. Alnsour and their excellent staff and the Infusion nurses who kept Joe upbeat and laughed at his many jokes… Joe’s very helpful ‘Nurse Navigator’ Kelly Clark RN with the Mercy cancer program In addition the family would like to thank all the friends and family who kept in contact, sent cards, made visits and phone calls to Joe It kept his spirits up. Many thanks to the nurses of Hospice of Northwest Ohio, especially Lindsey his nurse from day one, and Jenni who made his last few days comfortable at home.

Joe is pre-deceased by both of his parents, sister Elizabeth "Betsy" Moore and the family dogs, Edison, Rudy and Buddy, all of which he missed dearly and spoke of them often. Surviving are his wife Marci (Colvin) Williams; sons, Corey (Jenni) Williams and Adam (Jessica) Williams. Grand Girls, Ryleigh and Addison Williams; Sisters Jeanette (Larry) Howe, Ida (Ed) Przybylski, Terrie (William) Marcinkiewicz, Holly Williams, brother David Williams and many loving nieces and nephews.

Join us for an informal farewell and sharing of memories on Thursday, July 11, 2024 from 4-7 p.m. at Witzler-Shank-Walker Funeral Home, 222 E. South Boundary Street, Perrysburg (419-874-3133) where light refreshments will be served. In lieu of flowers please consider making donations to benefit The Mercy Health Cancer Center Perrysburg, OH or Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Condolences may be made online to the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.