Obituary of J. Duane Williams

Duane "Dewey" Williams Olean, NY-- Duane "Dewey" Williams of Olean-Portville Rd. died suddenly on Sunday (January 25, 2004) at the Healthmark Regional Medical Center in !DeFuniak Springs, FL. Born July 26, 1930 in Olean, NY he was the son of Harry A. and Margaret L. Young Williams. On September 8, 1951 in Olean, NY he married Constance A. Chesner who survives. Mr. Williams was a 1949 graduate of Olean High School, having been a multi-sport athlete, participating in baseball, football, and basketball. He then entered the US Navy, serving in the Mediterranean during the Korean War. Upon his discharge from the service he attended Alfred State College and later graduated from Michigan State University in 1959 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was first employed as an engineer by Dresser Clark Co. in Olean and later for Worthington Corp. in Buffalo prior to taking a position as Vice President of Engineering for the Norwalk Co. of Norwalk, CT. He was then a resident of Alden, NY where he worked for Superior Design in Buffalo until his retirement to Olean in 1996. A noted authority and consultant on Air and Gas Compressor engineering, he was the author of several works on this technology, and continued working in this field as a consultant until his death. Mr. Williams was formerly active in youth sports, coaching both Little League baseball and Pop Warner football. He loved outdoor activities, especially fishing, hunting, boating, golfing and camping. He also enjoyed woodworking, playing with his grandchildren and his involvement with the L.S.T. Association. Surviving besides his wife are his father of Bradford, PA; 2 sons Michael (Aishah) Williams of Carlisle, PA and Steven (Lauren) Williams of Stamford, CN; 2 daughters Barbara (Thomas) Ruth of Angola, NY and Robin Amiralian of Billerica, MA; 12 grandchildren; 2 brothers Gary (Liz) Williams of Olean and Robert (Paula) Williams of St. Petersburg, FL; 3 sisters Beverly Lampack of Olean, Donna (Daniel) Kelly of Cuba and Onalee (Ronald) Maine of Olean; 1 half-brother Andy (Chris) Cole of Olean and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his mother he was predeceased by 1 brother Harry L. Williams. Friends will be received at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home 3128 W. State Rd. Olean on Thursday from 7-9pm and on Friday from 2-4 & 7-9pm. Funeral services will be held Saturday (January 31, 2004) at 11:00am in the funeral home. Rev. Gregory Dobson, pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Portville, will officiate. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association 315 Alberta Dr. Amherst, NY 14226.