Most of the time there is lots of room to move around within the National Air Force Museum of Canada. That was not the case on Wednesday.
People gathered from Quinte West, across the Bay of Quinte region, the Canadian military community, and even from across Canada, to say goodbye to John Williams. Williams died last week at the age of 66.
The museum was well known to Williams, as someone who was not only an Honourary Colonel for 8 Wing Trenton, but also Mayor of Quinte West. Bain Park was where many hundreds of funeral attendees parked, and that was also fitting.
Bain Park is where the Afghanistan Repatriation Memorial sits, a project near and dear to Williams’ heart.
Shortly before 11:00 a.m., there was a procession from the Rushnell Funeral Home, which stopped at Quinte West City Hall, before arriving at the museum.
At 11:00 a.m., a CC-130 Hercules flew over to signal the beginning of the “goodbye to John Williams.”
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A Hercules flies by the NAFMC for the funeral of John Williams (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
Honourary Colonel John Smylie, former 8 Wing Base Commander Mark Goulden, and former Honourary Colonel (the late) John Williams at the National Air Force Museum of Canada (File photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
David McMaster and Ed Bentley (both with Eastminster United Church) officiated at the funeral. McMaster brought Words of Gathering, starting with the “Our Father”.
There were numerous tributes to Williams, including a letter from lifelong friend Doug Klotz, read by John’s daughter-in-law Anie Williams. The letter told of the epic Saturday nights of friendship, and how wonderful a friend, businessman, and community advocate he was.
Lieutenant General Retired Mike Hood was next to speak. Hood is a former Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, and former Base Commander of 8 Wing Trenton (during Williams’ time as mayor). Hood began with the fact that John was his best friend. Hood added that many people in the room would likely say the same thing. He added that Williams had an unwavering love of the military, its women and men, and 8 Wing Trenton. He jokingly added that they both hated the Toronto Maple Leafs, which helped to cement their friendship.
Hood spoke on behalf of former wing commanders, and he told the story of the first discussion Colonel Mark Goulden had with Williams.
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Former 8 Wing Base Commander Mike Hood. Hood was also the Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
Friend Ted Reid followed Hood and also talked about how good a friend Williams was.
He said he was the definition of a good friend, someone who was with you in the good times, but also in the bad. Reid said in John’s last days he did not know if he could speak at his funeral. Reid said John made him a deal. He said, ‘Ted, I’ll speak at your funeral and you can speak at mine.'”
The next three tributes were family of John, his daughter-in-law Allyson, and sons Brad and Ryan.
The Williams family listens to the tribute by John’s daughter-in-law Allyson Williams (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
Allyson Williams spoke of how love was the foundation of the Williams family. She says that each relationship is different, but the love John had for family was second to none. She highlighted the love John had for his six grandchildren.
John’s son Brad talked about the lighter side of his father.
Brad Williams also highlighted the importance of his final project. During John Williams’ arrangements, donations were accepted to the Heart and Home Building Campaign for Hospice Quinte, a campaign Williams co-chaired with former Belleville Mayor Ross McDougall (an honourary paul bearer). Brad Williams says the project is vitally important to the family, because palliative care was something his father utilized in his final days. He says although he could never replace his father as co-chair of the campaign, he and his family will do whatever they can to see it over the finish line. The Hospice Quinte service area includes Quinte West, Belleville, Deseronto, Tyendinaga Township and the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. The campaign is to help fund a multi-million dollar, multi room hospice in Bayside. CLICK HERE to donate to Hospice Quinte
Here is a quote from an interview with John Williams, about the importance of palliative care. He spoke to Quinte News in May of 2019.
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John Williams (r) donated $100,000 (along with Ross McDougall (l)) to kick-start the Heart and Home Building Campaign for Hospice Quinte, May 2019 (File photo: May 2019 – Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
Ryan Williams says his dad was always remembered for his phrase “get ‘r done“. He was a leader that stood up for the community. He talked about how his father helped get a Junior A hockey team back in Trenton, the Repatriation Ceremonies of fallen Canadian military members he attended, and how hard he worked.
Retired Reverend Ed Bentley quoted scripture. “Let not your hearts be troubled. In my father’s house there are many rooms.”
Bentley added that John had a passion for music throughout his life. Music was played throughout the service, including from his church, and 8 Wing Trenton’s Pipe and Drums. They played KD Lang’s cover of Leonard Cohen’s hit “Hallelujah”, and Amazing Grace, on the bagpipes.
To much laughter, Bentley stated that John Williams was no saint. He says he was, however, a man of faith and love. He added that in this season of Lent, John was like Jesus in the garden the night before His death. When John knew his death was imminent, he accepted it. He knew his days were marked, and those final days included joy, and love, and certainty in the love of God.
John Ross Williams September 27, 1953 – February 25, 2020
