Ronald McWilliams

Ronald “Ron” Nelson McWilliams, age 90, of Dover, died Wednesday, November 6, 2024, in his residence, surrounded by his family.

Born in Dover, on November 5, 1934, Ron was a son of the late Raymond and Lillian Pittman McWilliams.

Following his graduation from New Philadelphia High School, Ron proudly served his country as a member of the United States Air Force during the Korean War. While serving, Ron was stationed in Japan and assigned to work on radio and radar units. 

His professional career was spent with the Gradall Company at New Philadelphia where he worked as a machinist. Upon his retirement, he turned his passion for books and being an avid reader into a labor of love. Having over 3,000 books himself, Ron volunteered his time at the Tuscarawas Senior Center Library where he spent countless hours as a driving force in the operation and care of the library. He was a lover of pets, a former hunter, and member of the United Sportsmen Association. Above all, he used his ornery nature to show love to his family. He especially enjoyed time spent with his grandchildren and later his great-grandchildren, whom he deeply adored. 

Surviving are his daughters, Rhonda McWilliams of Dover and Lori McWilliams of New Philadelphia; his grandchildren, Jessie (Shawn) Hughes, Jason McWilliams, John (Becky) Bargar, Mark Bargar, Jennifer Bargar, James Long, Shannon Long, and Ronald Long, and his great-grandchildren, Arianna Hughes, Shyanna Hughes, Nathasha Hughes, Calvin Bargar, Dexter Bargar, Malcolm Bargar, Phoebe Bargar, and Gideon Bargar.

Completing the family are two sisters, Bonnie Zavasky and Nancy Kohler as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Ron was preceded by his wife of fifty years, Mary (Schultz) McWilliams, whom he married on September 30, 1961; his siblings, Ella Mae Marr, Doris Kugler, Lloyd McWilliams, and J.D. McWilliams, as well as an infant, son, Ronald McWilliams, Jr. 

In keeping with Ron’s wishes, there will be no public services. The Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia is handling arrangements.

Those wishing to do so may direct contributions in Ron’s name to the Tuscarawas Senior Center, 425 Prospect St, Dover, Ohio 44622 or to Ohio’s Hospice, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.