Earl Franklin Williams, Sr., 98, of Clarksburg died on Saturday August 5, 2017 at his home. He was born on September 11, 1918 in North Adams, MA. a son of the late Albert N. Williams and Isabelle Jackson.
Earl attended local schools and graduated from Drury High School with the class of 1936. Earl was employed at Excelsior Printing from 1936 to 1941 and from 1941 to 1981 at Sprague Electric Co. retiring as a tool and die maker. He was a decorated WWII Navy veteran, he served aboard the U.S.S. Quincy, CA71 from 1941-1943.
He was a past member of the Stamford Sportsmen’s Club, member of the Peter Cook Post 9144, Veterans of foreign wars, Clarksburg. He enjoyed hiking, camping, hunting and fishing and picnics with family and friends at camp on Florida Mountain. He and his wife enjoyed several cross country trips in their pickup camper, the first of which was a homemade camper that they used to visit their daughter and son in law in Albuquerque, NM.
He was a jack of all trades, could fix or build almost anything and built the two houses on Brooks Heights in which he and his wife raised their family and lived for over 6 decades. He devoted many years as a volunteer at Berkshire Food Project and was an active member of the Pioneer Valley Section of the Green Mountain Club for over 30 years. He received the Roy O. Buchanan Award in recognition of ten or more years of consistent, volunteer service to the maintenance and management of Vermont’s Long Trail on December 7, 1996. He received the Appalachian National Scenic Trail Silver Service Award in appreciation of 25 years of volunteer service to the Appalachian Trail on July 26, 2003.
Earl married his wife, Edna M. Reardon on February 5, 1941 in the rectory of St. Francis Church. His beloved wife died on April 12, 2015 after 74 years of marriage. Survivors include his daughter and caregiver, Carol A. Hayes; 4 grandchildren Brent Williams and Amanda of Charlotte, NC, Traci Williams of Milford, MA, Glenn Hayes and Ann of Warwick, RI. Daughter in law Gladys Williams of North Adams and former son in law James Hayes of Barefoot Bay, FL. Earl was predeceased by his son, Earl F. Williams Jr. , his grandson, Brendan Hayes and his three sisters, Ruth DeChambo, Anne Peterson and Mae Menard.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial to celebrate the life of Earl Williams will be celebrated on Thursday, August 10, 2017 at 11:00 AM at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery. Calling hours will be on Thursday morning from 9:00-10:30 AM at the Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Home 74 Marshall St. North Adams, MA 01247. In lieu of flowers, Donations may be made to the Berkshire Food Project or to VFW Post 9144, Clarksburg. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.