Jeffrey T. Williams

Jeffrey Thomas Williams, a longtime Wheaton resident, passed away on Sunday morning, April 7th, at Churchill Place in Glen Ellyn at the age of 72 after battling dementia for several years.

Jeff, known as a gracious, smart, and fun-loving man, lived a life full of love and service to his family and others around him. Born on July 13, 1951 at Elmhurst Hospital to Billy and Dorothy Williams, he grew up in Glen Ellyn and Wheaton with his brother Scott. He attended Lowell Elementary School, Edison Middle School, and Wheaton Central High School. In one of his first jobs, he earned money by selling Christmas cards door-to-door, and bought himself a bicycle.  

Jeff attended Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, where he majored in political science, participated in the Washington semester, and was active in Alpha Delta Epsilon.  Upon graduation, he attended the University of Iowa to study law. He was selected to be one of the Note and Comment Editors of the 1975-1976 Iowa Law Review. Providentially, he lived in a coed dorm, and that is where he met his future wife Susan. They married in 1977. In 1981 he began what would be a 35 year career at the Santa Fe Railway law department (later BNSF).

Jeff and Susan raised their children Craig and Kristin in Wheaton. The family worshiped and served at Holy Cross Lutheran Church and especially enjoyed attending the Saturday night service. While he worked very diligently at his job, he made sure that he was present with his family, as well as serving the church at many fellowship gatherings and as church council president. Jeff enjoyed taking his family to Door County, Wisconsin and on vacations out west, traveling by train to visit National Parks. He was an ardent fan of his kids and their activities. He enjoyed running, drawing, the Beatles, and rooting for the Cubs, Bulls, and Bears.

Jeff continued his career at BNSF when it relocated to Fort Worth, Texas in 1999. Jeff and Susan became active at Triumphant Grace Lutheran Church and enjoyed going to the Fort Worth Symphony. After Jeff's retirement in 2016, they returned full time to Wheaton, where they enjoyed life with family. Jeff loved his grandkids. He lit up when he saw them and they shared quite a few giggles. He was excited to hear that his most recent grandchild would be a girl, and loved meeting her.

Jeffrey was preceded in death by his father, Billy T. Williams and by his grandparents. He is survived by his wife Susan Williams; mother Dorothy Williams; brother Scott (Shirley) Williams; children Craig (Cindy) Williams and Kristin (Mark) Frost; grandchildren William, Eliot, Tallis, and Esther Frost; brother-in-law Gary (Eliz) Erbes; and nephews, nieces, and extended family.

The family would like to thank the Churchill Place Memory Care staff, the ALC hospice team, the congregation of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, and all who have loved Jeff and supported him and his family. 

Be joyful in hope

patient in affliction

faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12

Visitation will be held at Leonard Memorial Home, 565 Duane Street, Glen Ellyn, IL, on Friday, April 12th from 4-7 p.m.  There will also be an additional visitation on Saturday, April 13th from 10AM until the celebration of Jeff’s life (11AM) at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 802 E. Geneva Rd. Wheaton, IL. Lunch will be served after the service at church followed by burial at Forest Hill Cemetery at 2PM.

Memorial gifts may be given to: Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and/or Holy Cross Lutheran Church

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