On Sunday, June 25, beloved husband, father, brother, pastor, and friend, Ronald John Williams, age 66, entered Glory after a period of declining health.
Ron was born on January 29, 1957, in Reno, Nevada, to the late Richard and Dorothy (Locher) Williams. He graduated from Bluffton High School in 1975, and Bluffton College in 1980.
He further studied trumpet at the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, and then performed in traveling groups and on a Caribbean Cruise. He married Benita Kornhaus, July 5th, 1985, in Kidron, Ohio. Before earning a Masters of Divinity at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, Harrisonburg, Virginia, in 1991, Ron worked at Towne and Country Theater in Norwalk, Ohio, and managed a building maintenance company in Cleveland. Besides pastoring, he led Weight Watchers meetings and owned a vending company.
Ron enjoyed biking, playing and singing worship songs, and watching sports and forensics shows. His father’s heart, sense of humor, spiritual discernment, and logical mind enabled him to pinpoint the roots of most any issue. A gifted communicator, Ron was quick to form connections, helping people find freedom and equipping them to minister to others.
Surviving are wife, Benita; son, John Michael Williams of Orrville; daughter Roberta Jolene (Brooks) Myers of Shreve; and brother James Williams, of Tucson, Arizona.
Ron’s viewing will be held Friday, June 30, 2023, at Journey Church of Northeast Ohio, 292 E. Main St., Smithville, Ohio, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The Celebration of Ron’s Life will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Associate Pastor Sam Rakich officiating. Burial will take place at the Crown Hill Cemetery in Orrville.
Memorials may be made to Journey Church of Northeast Ohio, 292 E. Main St.,
Smithville, OH 44677.
Auble Funeral Home in Orrville is handling the arrangements. Online registry and expressions of condolence can be made at www.aublefuneralhome.com/
