Tommy Williams

Tommy J. Williams, 71, of Dover, passed away Wednesday, January 23, 2019 in Cleveland Clinic following a recent illness.

A son of the late Reese and Helen (Scheetz) Williams, Tommy was born March 20, 1947 at Dover, Ohio.

Tommy graduated from Strasburg High School in 1966 and continued his education at Canton Business College. He was drafted into the United States Army and honorably served his country during the Vietnam War.

On November 23, 1974, Tommy married the love of his life, the former Mary Hain, in St. John’s United Church of Christ at Strasburg. The couple were members and worshiped at Church of New Hope at Dover. Tommy retired from Graphic Packaging, the former Stone Container, in 2009.

Tommy had a lifelong passion for music and at the age of five he began studying piano. He personally took lessons for more than 13 years resulting in him becoming an accomplished pianist. Over the years, he played piano and organ for his church, as well as for many others, and he himself taught and trained countless of students how to play. Tommy was also a member of the Fortnightly Music Club and the Schoenbrunn Barbershop Chorus.

In his spare time, Tommy enjoyed collecting and building model train sets and was a member of a model train club in Cleveland. He also volunteered numerous hours of time at the Tuscarawas County YMCA.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Mary Williams; a cousin, Bob Williams and his family; his dear cats, Maude and Snowy and numerous beloved neighbors and friends.

Tommy was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister, Mary Lee.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 27, 2019 from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover. A funeral service celebrating Tommy’s life will be held on Monday, January 28, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home with Pastor Dan Legg officiating. Burial will follow in Grandview Union Cemetery at Strasburg. Following the committal service, a luncheon will be held in the Hospitality Room in the funeral home.

The family requests no flowers and contributions be made to a local church or a charity of one’s choice.