Obituary of James Williams

James Edward Williams passed away January 6, 2021 in Ithaca, NY. James was born in Cortland, NY, on November 22, 1941, to Clarence and Margaret Titchener Williams. Jim attended Cortland High School where he was a member of the vaunted 1957 and 1958 undefeated Varsity Football Teams coached by the legendary John Moiseichik. He was an exceptional student, a member of the National Honor Society and upon his graduation in 1959, was selected as an Alternate Appointee to the U..S. Naval Academy. He briefly attended Colgate University, leaving to enlist in the United States Navy. After his honorable discharge, in 1967 Jim went on to earn a degree in electrical engineering. In the mid 60's, Jim began a 30 year career at Smith Corona, where he made many wonderful and lasting friendships. He also worked as an emergency medical technician for Hayes Ambulance and just prior to retirement, he worked as a teacher aide at OCM BOCES in Cortland. Jim met and married the love of his life, Linda Margaret Carr on September 5,1964. He often said she was "the prettiest girl he had ever seen." Those who knew him know that Jim took great pride in his lawn and took meticulous care of it. He maintained the median adjacent to his house, decorating it for every holiday and makIng the entrance to his neighborhood a beautiful place. He loved a good practical joke, and in the role of victim was always a good sport but slept with one eye open on April Fools Day. He loved watching college football and the New England Patriots. As an engineer, Jim loved to tinker and take things apart to see how they worked and was always sure he could rebuild them to make them work better. Jim was a communicant of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Cortland. Jim's eldest daughter, Julie Williams Porter (Joseph), joined her father on his journey into Heaven and the arms of the Lord on the same day of his own passing. Jim was predeceased by his parents Clarence and Margaret Williams, brothers John and Steven Williams, sister Linda Reynolds, and his beautiful granddaughter Alexis Porter. He is survived by his wife Linda, sister Margaret Ann Giamichael (Mike), daughter Rebecca Costa (Gregory), son Matthew Williams (Megan), Grandchildren Christopher Hendriks (Meghan), Josephine and Jack Williams, Nicholas and Matthew Costa, and great-grandson Charlie Hendriks. Jim also leaves behind sister-in-law Valerie Williams, brother-in-law Don Carr and many nieces and nephews. He shared a very close bond with nieces and nephews Lori, Linda, Mike,Terri, Susan, Mark, Erin, Brandy, Ben, and beloved Goddaughter Jill. Services are private, Mass may be streamed at https://m.facebook.com/wrightbeardfuneral homeinc/ on Monday Jan. 18 at 11 AM