Joseph Eugene Williams, PhD

Joseph Eugene “Joe” Williams, PhD, of Bath Township, died unexpectedly on April 10, 2025, just shy of his 80th birthday. Joe was born in Lima, Ohio on April 24, 1945. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Cecile Williams; his sister, Jan Kuck; and his brother, Jack Williams.

As a teenager, Joe was a star athlete at Lima High School in baseball and football, and spent many good times with his best friends: Bob (“Mad Dog”), Joe (“Sugar Bear”) and Larry (“Boy”). Joe’s nickname was “Yogi,” named after the famous New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra. To this day, these guys regularly keep in touch, continuing a tradition of laughter and fond memories. In 2022, Joe, along with the entire baseball team, were inducted into the Lima Ohio Athletic Hall of Fame for going to the Ohio State Championships in 1961,1962, and 1963.

Following high school, Joe went to Ohio University on a football scholarship, while obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in education, followed by a Master’s degree in educational administration. He spent the next several years as an educator, ranging in roles from teacher and Dean of Students at Athens High School, to assistant principal at Tallmadge High School, to principal at Ravenna High School. Joe went on to obtain his Doctorate in Education from the University of Akron. For the next few years, he served in his “dream job” at the Institute for Health and Social Policy at the University of Akron as a Program Director for a national DARE study. He completed his career at the University of Akron as Assistant to the Dean of the Library, retiring in 2015.

Joe was a member of the Summit County Senior Golf Association for 29 years, where he not only played, but also volunteered in running the golf tournaments, as well as serving on the Board of Directors. He was a proud member of Alcoholics Anonymous for almost 42 years. The principals found in the Big Book guided his life and brought him great peace and connection with his God. Joe’s greatest joy and passion was being a part of the Dr. Bob’s Home “family” in Akron, giving tours every Wednesday for the past few years with his tour guide partner and dear friend, Gary. He spent hundreds of hours researching and collating the history of Alcoholics Anonymous, and particularly the life of Dr. Bob and Anne Smith. Just prior to his death, he was part of an effort to create a special booklet to support the tour guides at Dr. Bob’s Home.

An additional passion of Joe’s was his creation of a website called “My Spiritual Path” where he posted resources and inspirational readings to support those learning and continuing to meditate. Joe found great comfort in daily meditations, as he was forever striving to live in the present moment.

Joe and his wife Chris had a deep love and connection with one another as they experienced the ups and downs of life and marriage. They both shared a love of family (his daughter Allison was so very special to him), animals (dogs, cats, horses, birds—you name it!) nature, Broadway musicals, boating on Lake Erie, yearly trips to St. Maarten, fun trips and experiences with the grandkids, and throwing great parties. But most of all Joe and Chris spent hours talking and listening to one another, often into the middle of the night when life was still, and it was in this space where their love for one another flourished.

Joe was unique in all aspects of life. A true Welshman to his core—famous for his dry wit, deep emotions and faith, passionate and proud, and with a love of music and poetry, Joe will be remembered for a life well-lived.

Joe will be deeply missed by his wife of 41 years Christine Conklin Williams;, his daughter, Allison (Bryan) Richter; three grandchildren Devin, Corey, and Maggie, his brother-in-law Cliff (Janey) Conklin and children Haley, Trae, and Spencer; his sister-in-law, Patricia (Carmen) Casciato and daughters Theresa and Christina; his nephews, Brent (Marcy) Kuck and Jon (Elizabeth) Kuck; his “forever” Renew Group friends; and his best, friend Gary Cole.

Friends will be received from 9 A.M. to 11 A.M. FRIDAY April 18th at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Road, followed by a Memorial Service at 11 A.M. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dr. Bob’s Home, PO Box 449, Akron, OH 44309 or at www.drbobshome.org.

Services in care of the Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory, 85 N. Miller Road Fairlawn, OH 44333.