Obituary of John Newton WILLIAMS

May 8, 1932 – Llandovery, Wales
November 7, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

John Williams of Calgary, AB, passed away on Saturday, November 7, 2020 at the age of 88 years.

John left Wales at age eighteen to join the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy, sailing the next seven years to Cyprus, Malta, Greece, West Africa, Iraq, Turkey and beyond, learning his life’s vocation in avionics while adventuring. Immigrating to Canada in 1956, he was hired by Pacific Western Airlines in Edmonton, soon meeting Elaine and making Canada home, retiring from Canadian Airlines thirty-five years later. Known as Taffy, he won at darts and golf, loved to swim, completing seventy-five lengths in his seventy-fifth year at the Canyon Meadows pool. Respected for his ingenuity, he repaired Hercules aircraft in Resolute Bay at minus fifty and survived a crash in the Peruvian jungle, working from Angola to Beirut.

Always learning, leading, and loving the outdoors, whether flying into a remote fishing shack in northern Alberta with Frank, hunting with Bill or George (rarely pulling a trigger), and road-tripping with Elaine and special friends the Becks. He orchestrated the best fun family summers at the Shuswap, and later, endless backyard adventures with grandkids, all while cultivating the finest Early Girls on the block. His list of interests and fixing skills were admirable, and his years of patience and artistry in woodworking culminated into a flock of exquisitely hand-carved and hand-painted birds.

John was a man with a story, a laugh, a whistle, with a flame for Elaine that never wavered. As a father he was generous, happy and wise, but he truly shone as a grandfather: patient, indulgent, and present. After Elaine’s death, he moved to supportive living at AgeCare Skypointe, and was popular for his fiercely independent yet congenial manner. We are deeply indebted to the caring staff who let him shine, and who made his last days comfortable. We are grateful to his many companions, notably Carole, Lisa Marie, and Nicky, who enthusiastically chatted with him about rugby, Wales, winter tires, chicken stock . . .

Never looking back from his decision to live in Canada, his stories of late were of his childhood and youth in Carmarthenshire, Wales – the family’s pub The White Hall, skipping school to fish, crashing his motorcycle into the side of a cow, enjoying a half-pint in each of Llandovery’s twenty-two pubs all in the same evening, winning a silver medal boxing for Wales at age sixteen. We know he is back there now, running through the hills.

John is survived by his children, Glyn (Kelly), Donna, and Diane (Jason Schaaf); siblings, Donna, Eric (Jill), June Anderson (Colin) and Michael (Wendy); sisters-in-law, Eleanor Anderson (Bob), and Pat; Yvonne, Janice, and the Welsh contingent of nieces and nephews, all who were special to him. He was adored by his grandchildren, Jon, Tim, Megan, Will, and great-granddaughter Emilee. He was predeceased by his loving wife of fifty-seven years, Elaine, his parents, Howell Newton Williams and Annie Elizabeth (nee Theophilus), his brothers Roy and Neville Williams.

A private service will be held in John’s honour. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on John’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. In memoriam, please consider a donation to The Alzheimer Society of Calgary, 800, 7015 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 2K6, Telephone: (403)290-0110, www.alzheimercalgary.com.

In living memory of John Williams, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.