Dean Williams

There is, indeed a time for all things under heaven; and for all the wonderful rites of passage; new babies and old age, graduations and retirement, new employment and promotion, a time for anniversaries and funerals, for summer heat and winter cold, for sunrises and sunsets for Spring flowers and colored leaves in the Fall. There is a time for his first breath on March 2, 1935, and his last breath on July 25, 2026.

Dean R Williams passed away in Lowell, Michigan. He grew up in Delton, Michigan and lived most of his life in Kalamazoo. He cherished spending his summers on Wall Lake in Delton. He also resided in Frostproof, Florida and Richland, Michigan.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 48 years, Blanche Maurine (Johncock) Williams; his father and mother, Roger Williams and LaVera Marie (Norwood) Williams. He had no siblings.

In 1956, he married Blanche Maurine Johncock on June 23 in Delton, Michigan. Together they raised two children, David Scott Williams of Atlanta, Georgia and Diann Sue (Williams) Lambert of Lowell. David married Paula (Ellis) Williams. Diann married Brian Lambert. Dean was the proud grandfather to seven grandchildren, and a doting great-grandfather to nine great-grandchildren, with another on the way.

His grandchildren and their spouses include Chris Williams and partner Austin Montoya of Lakewood, Colorado; Allison (Williams) Albertson and Shayne Albertson of Thornton, Colorado. Danielle (Lambert) Baldwin and Chris Baldwin of Grand Rapids; Steven and Bethany (Fron) Lambert of Shepherd, MI; and Tim and Kiran (Anchan) Lambert of Lowell. His great grandchildren are Kaylee and Jeremiah Baldwin, Gabriel, Felicity, Finnegan, and Josephine Lambert, Levi and Corwin Lambert, and James Albertson.

On August 20, 2005, Dean married Joan (Klinger) Pluff, a former high school sweetheart from Delton Kellogg High School and they made their home together on Wall Lake, in Frostproof, and Richland. Dean fondly welcomed Joan's children into his life: Marcus Pluff, Dawn (Pluff) Bryner, and Diane (Pluff) Bishop along with their spouses, children, and many grandchildren.

Dean graduated from Delton Kellogg High School in 1953, attended Western Michigan University and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1957 with a BA degree. He started his career at Arthur Anderson & Co., a major Accounting Firm in Detroit.

Dean and his family then moved to Kalamazoo in 1959, where he began working at First National Bank & Trust Co. of Michigan as Assistant Comptroller. As the bank grew, his career kept pace, eventually serving as Senior Vice President of The First of America Bank Corporation. He retired after 35 dedicated years in the banking profession.

Over the years, Dean was deeply involved with his community. His service included leadership and volunteer roles with the Kalamazoo United Way, Optimist Club, LIFT Foundation, Westwood Little League, Boy Scout Troop #217 and Cub Pack #90, American Institute of Banking, Michigan Association of CPAs, and National Association of Accountants. He also enjoyed membership at The Beacon Club, Kalamazoo Park Club and Gull Lake Country Club.

Music was a foundational part of Dean's life. He played the piano and the baritone horn, and sang in several choirs, quartets and trios. He was ready to harmonize with anyone at a moment's notice. He loved to pitch horseshoes, golf and bowl. Fishing was a favorite pastime, on Wall Lake and on the Pine River in the UP. He delighted in winning at cards, especially cribbage, was an avid coin collector and loved to share his extensive numismatic knowledge.

A Celebration of Life will take place at Faith United Methodist Church, 503 South Grove Street, Delton, MI on Friday, August 21. Visitation will begin at the church at 1:00 followed by the memorial service at 2:00 with refreshments to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to

· Faith United Methodist Church, 503 S. Grove St. Delton, MI 49046

· Delton District Library, 330 North Grove St. Delton, MI 49046.

· A charity of your choice.

Please visit www.williamsgoresfuneral.com to share a memory or leave a condolence message for Dean's family.