Alan D. Williams

Alan D. Williams, age 91, of Tipp City, OH passed away on Sunday, October 10, 2021 at the Hospice of Miami County Inpatient Unit, Troy.  He was born on August 28, 1930 in St. Johns, MI to the late Fay and Doris G. (Rice) Williams.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years of marriage: M. Jo Ann (Hawn) Williams; three sons: John A. (Cynthia) Williams, Scott C. (Pamela) Williams and Darin H. (Douglas Armstrong) Williams; three grandchildren: Daniel (Elizabeth) Williams, Nathan Williams (Amanda Booher) and Lauren (Joshua) Stevens; four great grandchildren: Laela, Chloe, Jordan and Jackson.  In addition to his parents, Alan was preceded in death by his grandson: Michael Williams and siblings: Lawrence Williams, Dorothy Muench and Gary Williams. 

Alan was a graduate of Rodney B. Wilson High School in St. Johns, MI.  He grew up farming there and had a high milk production dairy herd.  He proudly served his country as an aviation machinist mate, third class, with a unit of the Navy’s Composite Squadron 5. (VC-5)  He was the plane captain of one of its Savage bombers, supervising the work of the ground crew.  On April 1st, 1954, his squadron combined efforts with squadron VF-21 to establish a new transcontinental speed record of 3 hours, 45 minutes and 30 seconds, made possible by the first official in-flight refueling operation of VF-21 fighter aircraft at the midpoint of their run.  Alan and his crew received a commendation for their efforts.  Stationed for a time in Southern Europe, he had the opportunity to travel to several European cities and skied in the Swiss Alps.  Alan met JoAnn at the wedding of one of his Navy buddies.  Alan was the best man for his Navy pal and JoAnn was the maid of honor for her nursing school roommate.  They met in May, and started corresponding through letters.  After just 6 dates, Alan proposed in August and they were married in December.  Alan was a gifted carpenter, mechanic and metal fabricator.  He built numerous barns and outbuildings.  He also helped build and frame the house that they have called home since 1965.  He worked as a mechanic for Stull Implement Co. in New Carlisle.  He split and restored two of the family tractors.  After retiring from American Airlines, he purchased and restored an antique John-Deere 530 which he drove in local parades.  He fabricated two steel trailers and a flatbed for his pickup truck, all of which are still in use.  He was a valuable resource for neighboring farmers when it came to equipment breakdowns and repairs.  Alan was an excellent shot, particularly at offhand rifle.  He enjoyed being a member of Indian Creek Rifle Club, with his father-in-law: Herbert Hawn.  While living in Tennessee and then into his retirement, Alan and JoAnn put over 175,000 miles on 2 different touring bikes.  They managed to visit 38 states in their journeys.  He found joy in maintaining his beautiful property and took great pride in flying the American flag.  He would raise the flag every morning, and without fail, step back and salute.  Alan also loved music.  A favorite pastime that began in childhood and lasted throughout his entire life was singing around the piano with family.  A tradition that the family will continue.

Family and friends of Alan will gather for a Celebration of Life at 2:30PM on Friday, October 15, 2021 at Cove Spring Church, Troy, OH with Rev. Greg Morrow officiating.  Interment will take place in Casstown Cemetery, Casstown, OH.  The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:30PM-2:30PM on Friday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County or Dayton Honor Flight.  Condolences may be expressed to the family through www.bairdfuneralhome.com.