Gregg P. Williams

Gregg Paul Williams, 58, of 49 Rice Road, DeKalb Junction, passed away tragically in a motor vehicle accident on Thursday, July 6, 2017.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, July 9, 2017 from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the O’Leary Funeral Home, Canton. A funeral service will be held on Monday, July 10, 2017 at 11:00 am at the funeral home with Anne Davis-Harmer, celebrant. Burial with Military Honors will follow in the Hermon Cemetery.

Gregg was born on December 1, 1958, in Oxford, New York, the son of the late Wayne and Janet (Potter) Williams.  He graduated from Hugh C. Williams High School in 1977.  He married Anne Coloton on September 27, 1986, at St. Henry's Church in DeKalb Junction with the Reverend Andrew Amyot officiating.

During Gregg's extensive career, he was enlisted in the United States Navy from 1977 until 1982.  He served on the USS Harold J. Ellison DD-864 as a Machinist Mate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  In 1983, he joined the Navy Reserves, retiring in May 2000 with a total of 22 years of military service.  Gregg began a career with the State of New York working as a Plant Utilities Engineer at SUNY Upstate Medical Center, SUNY Canton, the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center, and with the Department of Corrections in Ogdensburg, Gouverneur, and finally retiring as Plant Superintendent from Riverview Correctional Facility.  After his retirement, Gregg worked part-time as a driver for R. B. Lawrence Ambulance in Canton - a job he thoroughly enjoyed.

Gregg is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Anne; his son Bryan of DeKalb Junction, and a daughter Kelly (Jonathan) Zakarauskas of Massena.  Gregg is also survived by three brothers, Wayne of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Marty of Portland, Maine, and Scott (Dianne) of New Port Richey, Florida, three sisters, Karen (Roger) Conant of Canton, Sheli (Wayne) Ellison of Potsdam, and Terri Tracy and companion Gordon Lalonde of Gouverneur.  He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his father Wayne, mother Janet, and sister Donna Williams Friot.

Gregg had a love of sports, especially the Philadelphia Flyers, Ottawa Senators, and New York Giants.  He was a caring father and always proud to attend his children's sporting events and activities over the years, often traveling across the state to watch his son play basketball in college.  Over the past few months he was proud to watch his son graduate from the New York State Corrections Academy and walked his daughter down the aisle to marry the love of her life.  He also was proud to support his daughter and son-in-law competing in truck pulling with "The Hulk."  He loved spending time at his camp on Sterling Pond and traveling throughout the country.  He was a proud retiree of the United States Navy and enjoyed attending yearly reunions for the USS Harold J. Ellison and he and Anne really loved their “Ellison Family."

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Anne Coloton Williams Endowed Scholarship, Canton College Foundation, SUNY Canton, Canton, New York 13617 or the Williams Family Scholarship at Hermon-DeKalb Central School, 709 East DeKalb Road, DeKalb Junction, New York 13630.

Memories and condolences may be shared online by visiting www.olearyfuneralservice.com. Arrangements are entrusted with the O'Leary Funeral Service, Canton. 

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