RALPH F. WILLIAMS

WOODLAND Ralph F. Williams, 77, of Woodland, Aroostook County, unexpectedly went home to be with his Lord and Savior Aug. 23, 2008, surrounded by his loving family at Maine Medical Center. He was born Aug. 17, 1931, in Blaine, the son of Reginald and Emily (Nadeau) Williams. Ralph was married to the love of his life, Mavis Brown Williams for 53 years. They have five children, Miles “Rick” Williams and his wife, Sharon, of Caribou, Ralph “Ralphie” Jr. and his wife, Sandy, of Buxton, Joy Marie Oliver and her husband, Steve, of Westbrook, Marilee Johnson and her husband, Marc, of Woodland and Staci Lynn Gallagher and her husband, Doug, of East Windsor, Conn. Ralph has six grand-children, Jeremy Miles Williams and his wife, Andrea, of Columbus, Ohio, Amanda Mae Kilcollins and her husband, Chris, of Caribou, Nathaniel Mark Oliver of Westbrook, Darick Chad Williams of Caribou, Colby Reginald Johnson of Woodland and Noah Miles Oliver of Westbrook; and two great-granddaughters, Emma Joyce and Clare Mae Kilcollins of Caribou. He has five stepgrandchildren, Debbie and husband, Dennis Beaucheme, of York, Vince and wife, Kim Miniutti, of Dayton, Crissy and her husband, Paul Cote, of Biddeford, Clark and Brett Johnson of Waterford, Conn.; and five great-stepgrandsons and one great-stepgranddaughter. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Nellie Langley of Caribou and Reta and husband, Gordon Anderson, of Houlton; as well as two special cousins, Matt and wife, Patty Williams and James and wife, Kathy Williams, both of Woodland. Ralph will also be missed by several cousins, nieces and nephews. Ralph was an active member of Caribou United Baptist Church, where he served his Lord and Savior, as a deacon and on several other committees. The center of Ralph’s life was his Lord and Savior, and his family. Ralph was a loving, devoted husband and father. He was an amazing role model for all who knew him. Ralph worked many years for the Caribou School Department as a bus driver and retired in 1994 as plant superintendent. As a bus driver, he touched the lives of countless children and adults throughout the state of Maine. When it came to knowing the locations of schools or major educational facilities, he could give anyone the directions without fail. Ralph was given special recognition by the Class of 1975 at their 10th reunion and when he retired in 1994 the athletics section of the high school yearbook was dedicated to him. Prior to working for the Caribou School Department, he worked for Tibbett’s TV as an appliance repairman. Ralph also owned and operated his own truck, hauling potatoes and fertilizer in and out of the state for several years in the late ’50s. Ralph proudly served in the U.S. Air Force in the Korean War as a military police and was very proud of his country and held his flag with a great deal of respect. He was an honorary member of Future Farmers of America and a lifetime alumni. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, camping, playing cribbage, and snowmobiling with friends and family and in his later years, woodworking and making many treasures for his family. He served many years on the Woodland School Board and was a member of Woodland School Gymnasium building committee. Friends and family may call 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26, at Lancaster-Morgan Funeral Home, 11 Clover St., Cari-bou. Services will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, at United Baptist Church, 74 High St., Caribou. Interment with military honors will be held at the Maine Veterans’ Cemetery, Caribou. In lieu of flowers, the family request’s memorial contributions be made to Caribou United Baptist Church Memorial Fund in Ralph’s memory. Friends may express their condolences to the family at www.lancastermorgan.com.