Jack Williams, Jr., of Wimberley Texas, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family and loved ones.
Born in Hillsboro, TX, Jack moved to San Marcos with his parents, Jack Williams and Mina Alvord Williams when he was an infant, living on the Alvord/Cummings Ranch until the family moved to 605 Scott Street. His mother worked as an elementary school teacher, and his father was the first Hays County Agent.
Until the very end, Jack loved to tell tales of his days at San Marcos High School, where he played clarinet with The Swing Kings, was captain of the football team, and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He remained close with his fellow graduates from the class of 1947 and enjoyed many a reunion with his lifelong friends.
After high school, Jack attended Texas A&M, and in 1948 he received an appointment to the Naval Academy and headed east to Annapolis, Maryland. At the Naval Academy, Jack played 150# football and enjoyed time with family on the Chesapeake Bay. Always in touch with his Texas roots, a family friend from Wimberley suggested Jack meet Alice Malone, from Houston, who was attending Randolph Macon College in nearby Ashland, VA. The two fell in love and were married after Jack’s graduation in 1952. Jack graduated from the Naval Academy with a degree in engineering and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force.
After his time in the Air Force, Jack began a 38 year career with General Electric that began in Schenectady, New York. GE relocated the family to Saratoga, California, Upper Montclair, New Jersey, and back again to Saratoga where they raised their family.
In Saratoga, Jack and Alice threw renowned Christmas Eve parties around the famous eggnog bowl, and Fourth of July parties, with patriotic declamations from the backyard stage. Jack was passionate about community involvement and he served on the board of the Saratoga Community Garden and as a member of the Valley Institute of Theater Arts (VITA). He was a soccer coach, a Boy Scout leader, and an avid skier. While living in California, Jack enjoyed the annual family summer trips to Wimberley, Texas – early evenings fishing on the Blanco River, dancing at Camp Ben McCulloch, or sitting on the patio at night with friends and family after a fish fry and home-made ice cream.
Jack’s work with GE took him around the world, fostering his spirit of adventure, love of travel, and appreciation of other cultures. He found great joy in taking his family to the theaters and restaurants of San Francisco where he taught his children to appreciate and explore the diverse cultural and culinary offerings of the west coast.
In 1986, after 20+ years working at GE Nuclear in San Jose, CA, Jack and Alice moved to Tokyo, Japan where Jack became President of General Electric International Japan. Their time spent in Japan was a highlight for Jack, as he used his expert people skills, sense of humor and love for adventure to navigate his work and develop many long-lasting friendships. And for Jack, the sushi was certainly an incentive!
In 1993, Jack and Alice returned to the United States and retired to Wimberley, Texas.
Jack was famous for eating three eggs and bacon every morning, and any friend of Jack’s knew that no steak was too rare for him. He never said no to a sushi dinner and a dozen raw oysters was always followed by a dozen more. He had a marvelous sense of humor, loved to read and clip the funny papers, and laughed heartily at a good joke. He was an entertainer, a writer of great letters -- a true storyteller.
Jack loved the Texas Hill Country. He and Alice built a beautiful home on the Blanco River, and though Jack lost Alice and his son, Bob, both to cancer in 2001, he continued to make his home on the river where he welcomed family and friends and never missed a chance to listen to his favorite local musicians.
He spent his last years in Wimberley with his beloved companion Mary Lou Kendall by his side. The two loved their peaceful retreat where they delighted in bird watching and frequent visits from their friend the gray fox.
Jack was predeceased by his parents, Jack and Mina Williams; his brother, Channing; his sister, Charlotte; his wife, Alice; and his son Bob.
Jack is survived by his companion, Mary Lou Kendall; his four children: Jim Williams (wife Sue), Linda Allen, Dave Williams (wife Amy), and Mary Matlack (husband Ed); his daughter-in-law Dana Williams; his grandchildren: Malone Allen (wife Juliana), Cameron Allen; Tess, Cole, and Riley Williams; Emily and Darby Williams; Clara and Will Matlack.
A celebration of his life will be announced at a later date on the banks of the Blanco, when the weather is warmer and the conditions more amenable.
Jack was a good and loving man, and we will miss him.
Donations in Jack’s memory can be made in support of his many passions:
Early Childhood Education: Los Gatos-Saratoga Observation Nursery School https://lgsons.org/
Community Theater: The Wimberley Players https://www.wimberleyplayers.org/
Veterans: Surplus Americans https://www.surplusamericans.org
