John Williams Aug. 6, 1949 – March 13, 2019

      John A. Williams, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully March 13, 2019 surrounded by his loved ones after a brave 4-year battle with leukemia, at the age of 69.

      John was born on Aug. 6, 1949 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Frank and Mollee (Schawe) Williams. John married his best friend, Judy Lahr, on Aug. 8, 1970 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Sand Springs and together, they raised three children. John is survived by his wife, Judy of Monticello, children, Shannon (Mike) Lambert of Monticello, Jamie (Matt) Thompson of Marion, and Jason Williams of Monticello, his six grandchildren, Jordan (Logan Hein), Maddie, and Lauren Lambert, Ella and Chase Thompson, and Berklee Williams, two sisters, Becky (Kevin) Carlson of Bettendorf, Emily (John) Wheeler of Fargo, S.D.,  a brother-in-law Dan (Sheralyn) Lahr of Monticello, and a sister-in-law Joan Williams of Danville, Penn. and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his father Frank, mother Mollee, brother Bob Williams, father-in-law Nicholas Lahr, mother-in-law Mary Jane Lahr, and his beloved black labs, Murphy and Mia.

      John graduated from Monticello High School with the class of 1967. After graduation, he worked at Georgia Pacific in Monticello for a short time, before bravely enlisting in the US Army during the Vietnam war in 1968. He proudly served from 1968 to 1970. After his service, John began working at Julin Printing Company in Monticello, where he worked until 2018. He first started as a plate stripper and then worked his way up to General Manager, which led to him purchasing Julin Printing Company in 1995. After 48 hardworking and dedicated years with Julin Printing, John sold the company to his oldest daughter, Shannon Lambert early last year.

      John always had an unwavering passion for the outdoors.  Although he loved to hunt and fish, he found most enjoyment in sharing his passion for hunting and fishing with his six grandchildren.  John was a very proud grandpa and his pride in his grandchildren showed every moment he was able to share with them his wisdom, valuable life lessons or the great advice that he was always able to give so easily.  John was very active and involved in his community and shared his time generously.  He was a member of the Printing Industries Board of Directors and the Jones County Ducks Unlimited Group.  He will always be remembered for his strength, kind heart and devotion to his family.

      Visitation was held Friday afternoon March 15, 2019 from 4 to 7 p.m. and funeral services at 11 a.m. Saturday morning March 16, 2019, both at Goettsch Funeral Home.  Interment was in the Oakwood Cemetery in Monticello with Military Honors provided by the United States Army.  Rev. Edwin Moreano officiated the services.  Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at www.goettschonline.com.

      A parting word from John: “May the work I have done speak for me.”