Lima, OH – Gilbert “Ron” Williams, 89, died October 4, 2022 at the Springs of Lima.

He was born on April 17, 1933 in Paulding, Ohio to Erdene C. Dennis and Mary Ruth Haines.

Ron grew up in Defiance, Ohio. He took to sports at an early age. At age 16 and 17, he hurled team Napoleon, of the junior fastpitch softball league, to a state championship title two years in a row. This feat earned him the lifelong nickname of “The Whip”. He led the high school golf team to league titles his junior and senior years, and made 1st Team ALL-NWO in basketball. Graduating from Defiance in 1951, he went on to Ohio State to play basketball. He was a member of the Kappa Sig fraternity, and the Air Force ROTC. He came down with polio, and a later head injury from an industrial accident. In an attempted 1955 comeback, he met with then AD, Woody Hayes, and was denied admission back into Athletics due to health concerns. Although this ended his Ohio State career early, he kept improving and joined an All-Star team in Northwest Ohio and played in closed gym competitions against the Harlem Globetrotters.

He began his professional career at ODOT in Lima as Supervisor of road construction. He held later positions as Village Administrator of Groveport, Safety Services Director of Sheffield Lake, and Safety Services Director of Delphos, retiring in 2000.

He married Marcia Schmidt of Continental in 1959, and the couple resided in Lima. He was a devoted father of 3, and devoted to golf! With 6 hole in ones, and winning the 1960 Lima City tournament, he was always open to a round of golf. If he wasn’t on the golf course, you might find him dancing at the Elks or Eagles.

He was heavily involved in public service including: President of Ohio Association of Public Safety Directors, President Lima-Allen County Regional Planning Commission, and involved in many committees up until his health would not allow him.

Although confronted with many health issues, he was an eternal optimist, who always had a smile on his face. We can all learn a lesson to be more like Ron Williams.

Very much liked by all, he will be sorely missed by his close friend, Trudy Barr of Lima, daughter, Lisa Anne Williams of Columbus, and sons, Jeffrey Roland (Cindy) Williams of Columbus, and Scott Joseph (Amy) Williams of Rocky River. He is survived in death by his cousins Doug and Diane Haines. He is also survived by grandchildren, Cristy Williams, Jeffrey (Sierra) Williams, Erika (Jordan) Davidson, Mitchell Williams and Catherine Williams. He also leaves great-grandchildren, Kyler Boucher, Kira, Levi and Rayne Williams and Hollyn Davidson. He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Eugene Williams, brothers, Gary Williams and Brian Williams, and cousins Trevor, Debbie, and Cheryl Haines.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, November 13 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Lima Eagles, 800 W. Robb Ave. Lima, OH 45801.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.