Obituary for John C. Williams
John Cotton Williams, 73, a native of Palo Alto, CA, peacefully passed away on the 6th
of August, 2021 following a lengthy illness.
John was born January 14, 1948 to George and Anne Williams in Palo Alto, CA. After graduating
from Palo Alto High School in 1967, he was drafted and proudly served his country in the Vietnam War
from1968 to 1971. After serving in the war, John started his own business, a geological onshore and
offshore drilling company. He retired after 40 years of dedicated hard work.
John married the love of his life, Alicia Lynn Williams, who he met when he was only 19 years old,
she has preceded him in death. He is also survived by his two children, a daughter Missy Williams, son
Johnny Williams and three grandchildren Alyssa Bontkowski, Angelo Alvarez, Maggie Alvarez and a
nephew Aaron Williams. His parents George and Anne Williams, siblings sister Anne Williams- Reynolds,
brothers Mike, Peter and Sam Williams have also preceded him in death.
John was the kind of man who people enjoyed being around. His kind heart and funny personality
were one of his many great attributes. Along with his late wife, he proudly boasted about and enormously
loved his children and grandchildren. One of John's biggest accomplishments was being a father and
being a grandfather. His children and grandchildren called him a "superhero" because he showed incredible
strength, determination and love for life, which radiated through and all around him. He had a passion for
fishing, enjoyed rebuilding hot rod cars, loved Harley Davidson's and building motorcycles, enjoyed
sailing and flying gliders. His favorite television shows were Laurel and Hardy, Bonanza, Leave it to
Beaver and many more old classics. He took great interest in listening to political radio stations, reading,
shopping at hobby shops looking for things to build. He enjoyed playing baseball (played first base as a
child), camping, being outdoors enjoying and appreciating nature and had a great love for all animals,
especially German Shepards.
John will be laid to rest at Golden Gate National Cemetery on August 18th, 2021 at 11:00 am.
A special thank you to the numerous people of Veteran's Affairs in Livermore, CA for their loving care
and support during his final days. Also, the family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to Garden
Chapel and Golden Gate Cemetery for being very accommodating and understanding during this diff-
icult time. John will be missed dearly by his family and many friends. He touched many people's lives and
will never be forgotten.
of August, 2021 following a lengthy illness.
John was born January 14, 1948 to George and Anne Williams in Palo Alto, CA. After graduating
from Palo Alto High School in 1967, he was drafted and proudly served his country in the Vietnam War
from1968 to 1971. After serving in the war, John started his own business, a geological onshore and
offshore drilling company. He retired after 40 years of dedicated hard work.
John married the love of his life, Alicia Lynn Williams, who he met when he was only 19 years old,
she has preceded him in death. He is also survived by his two children, a daughter Missy Williams, son
Johnny Williams and three grandchildren Alyssa Bontkowski, Angelo Alvarez, Maggie Alvarez and a
nephew Aaron Williams. His parents George and Anne Williams, siblings sister Anne Williams- Reynolds,
brothers Mike, Peter and Sam Williams have also preceded him in death.
John was the kind of man who people enjoyed being around. His kind heart and funny personality
were one of his many great attributes. Along with his late wife, he proudly boasted about and enormously
loved his children and grandchildren. One of John's biggest accomplishments was being a father and
being a grandfather. His children and grandchildren called him a "superhero" because he showed incredible
strength, determination and love for life, which radiated through and all around him. He had a passion for
fishing, enjoyed rebuilding hot rod cars, loved Harley Davidson's and building motorcycles, enjoyed
sailing and flying gliders. His favorite television shows were Laurel and Hardy, Bonanza, Leave it to
Beaver and many more old classics. He took great interest in listening to political radio stations, reading,
shopping at hobby shops looking for things to build. He enjoyed playing baseball (played first base as a
child), camping, being outdoors enjoying and appreciating nature and had a great love for all animals,
especially German Shepards.
John will be laid to rest at Golden Gate National Cemetery on August 18th, 2021 at 11:00 am.
A special thank you to the numerous people of Veteran's Affairs in Livermore, CA for their loving care
and support during his final days. Also, the family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to Garden
Chapel and Golden Gate Cemetery for being very accommodating and understanding during this diff-
icult time. John will be missed dearly by his family and many friends. He touched many people's lives and
will never be forgotten.