Roger Williams Obituary

Williams
Roger Neal
Williams
May 4, 1940
August 11, 2023

Roger Neal Williams, 83, passed away on August 11, 2023. Roger was born on May 4, 1940, in Cherry Valley, Ohio to Gayle and Leta Williams. He grew up in Middlefield, Ohio and graduated from Cardinal High School in 1958. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Middlefield. Roger graduated from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio in August 1962 with a BS Degree in Commerce where he was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity. Upon graduation, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant, Field Artillery from the Army ROTC program.

In November 1962, Roger entered the U.S. Army at Fort Sill, Oklahoma for Officer Basic School and Advanced Training and then reported to the First Infantry Division (The Big Red One) at Fort Riley, Kansas in April 1963. Upon release from active duty in January 1965, he worked for the Boeing Company's Commercial Airplane Division in the Seattle area. He enrolled at Seattle University to work towards an advanced degree. Additionally, while living in Washington State, Roger served in the Washington Army National Guard in various staff and line positions, attaining the rank of Captain before moving to Alaska.

In 1970, Roger began a long career with ITT Corporation in Anchorage, Alaska, working on the White Alice Communications System contract. During his time in Alaska, he completed work on his master's degree in business administration at the University of Alaska, Anchorage, graduating in 1973.

Roger held various supervisory and management assignments within ITT, serving in multiple locations to include Anchorage, Alaska; Madrid, Spain; Paramus, New Jersey; Hampton, Virginia; Kuwait City, Kuwait; Doha, Qatar; plus, several assignments in the Corporate Office in Colorado Springs. Roger retired from ITT in March 2012 after more than 35 years of service.

In 2004, Roger and nine other family members made a trip to Ireland, tracing family roots in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Roger was proud of his Irish heritage and took great joy in planning this family adventure, enjoying the countryside as well as numerous bed and breakfast locations across Ireland.

Roger was preceded in death by his loving wife of 27 years, Mary Ann Williams; his parents, Gayle and Leta Williams; three sisters, Beverly J. Frain, Roberta A. Pearce, and Joyce L. Robertson; and one brother, Dr. Lynn A. Williams. Roger is survived by his sister, Elaine Naylor of Montclair, Virginia; 4 daughters: Laura J. Nelson (Ron) of Roy, Washington; Kathy M. Doty (Ron) of Sulphur, Louisiana; Michelle A. Barton (Bob) of The Colony, Texas; and Amy M. Elliott (Nat) of Williamsburg, Virginia. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Erica Morgan, Sarah Nelson, Connor Doty, Camron Doty, Jordan Bjostad, Colin Bjostad, Blake Bjostad, Grant Hopkins, Maggie Elliott and Finn Elliott; 5 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Roger's life will be held on Friday, August 25, 2023 in Colorado Springs, CO.

Roger's family is eternally grateful for the many friends and neighbors who kept an eye out for him and provided him with love and friendship as well as the many health care workers who played a role in caring for him in his last days.