Obituaries

Ron Williams, 68, of Lake Winola and longtime Wyoming County commissioner, died Saturday morning after an illness. He is survived by his wife and best friend, Ellen Foreman Williams. The couple celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary on Aug. 25.
Born in Scranton on Sept. 13, 1950, son of the late Ronald H. Williams and Mary Patricia Sheerin Williams Finan, Ron was a graduate of Scranton Technical High School, class of 1968. Achieving recognition on Lackawanna College’s dean list, he studied criminal justice and business administration before serving in the United States Army Reserves.
He began a career in law enforcement as a police office for Overfield Twp. He earned rank as chief of the Clarks Green Police Department before retiring from law enforcement as corporal of the Tunkhannock P.D.
First elected as a Wyoming County commissioner in 1987, he became a champion of his community. The Lake Winola Democrat served as commissioner from 1987 to 2003, up until he received an appointment to the state agriculture job.
During his time as northeast regional director of agriculture, he provided support to local farmers. Voters elected him to the board of commissioners again in 2011, and he most recently won re-election in 2015. As county liaison for 911 and emergency management, he worked to keep residents safe.
As a father, he devoted his time and love to both biological and adopted children and advocated for countless other children who needed homes, serving on the Pennsylvania Foster Parents Association. He was awarded in 2017 for his 25 years of service to the Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN).
He was the former chairman of the Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission, a former vice chairman of Pennsylvania State Resource Family Association and a member of the Wyoming County Special Needs Committee.
Heavily involved in all community endeavors, he worked diligently to secure funding for Tunkhannock’s historic Dietrich Theater.
He was also a life member of the Lake Winola Fire Company and an active member of the American Legion Black Walnut Post 510. He was the proud former 14-H District Governor of the Lions Clubs International.
Roman Catholic, he was a faithful member of St. Mary of the Lake Parish, Lake Winola.
To know Ron was to love him. An amazing husband, father, grandfather, brother, relative and friend, he will be forever remembered for his kind, caring and selfless nature. He took his countless physical ailments in stride, moving right on with his infectious smile. He leaves the world a better place than the day he came into it and he will be dearly missed by all.
He is also survived by his children, Tracy Williams Bogdon and husband, Christopher, Larksville; Zachary Williams, Williamsport; Zhane Williams, Isaiah Williams and Anthony Williams, all of Lake Winola; sisters, Jean Ann Romanowski and companion, Frank Barnousky, Lake Winola; and Nancy Cognetti, Scranton; two grandchildren, Michael and Brayden Bogdon; and nieces and nephews.
His family wishes to thank the entire staff of Geisinger CMC’s E.R. and ICU for their tremendous care and comfort to both Ron and his family.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. Mary of the Lake, 1872 Dalton Road, Lake Winola, to be celebrated by the Rev. Patrick L. Albert, pastor. Interment with military rites by the AMVETS Honor Guard will follow at Fairview Cemetery. Those attending the funeral are asked to go directly to church.
Family and friends may pay their respects Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the church with 8 p.m. services by the The Lake Winola Fire Company.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ron’s name to the Lake Winola Fire Company 1, Inc., c/o P.O. Box 73. Lake Winola, PA 18625.
Arrangements are under the care of the Kevin K. Kearney Funeral Home Inc., 125 N. Main Ave., Scranton.