Gene Williams

Eugene “Gene” Russell Williams, age 90, of East Grand Rapids, Michigan died on Sunday, May 13, 2018. Gene was born in Flint, Michigan, and spent much of his childhood on his grandparents’ farm where he began his lifelong love of cutting boards, pounding nails, and trying to repair anything with an engine. Following these passions, he went on to buy his first airplane and start his first business, Gene’s Hi-Speed Service garage, before the age of twenty. After attending General Motors Institute and serving in the Army he worked for Allstate Insurance in the Detroit area for over forty years. Gene showed a wide range of professional and private interests through the many different state licenses he held over the years, including airplane pilot, realtor, auto mechanic and general contractor. After retirement he was a volunteer driver for the American Red Cross, spending several days each week taking patients all over Kent County to their dialysis appointments. He also remained an avid woodworker, making furniture and toys for his children and grandchildren, and his neighbors will not soon forget the sound of his potato cannon firing down the street. Gene is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary Jean, his children Matthew (Jodi) and Amy (Mark), and his grandchildren Jessica, Andrew, and Anna. A memorial service will be held at Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 4291 Cascade Road SE, Grand Rapids on Saturday, May 19th at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations to the American Red Cross (www.redcross.org).

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