Wayne Williams

Wayne was lucky enough to meet the love of his life, Cheryl Ann Williams, and find his passion for flying as a teenager. He was a dedicated husband and father who lived his values every day. Wayne Williams, 71, died April 6 of complications of Alzheimer’s at Wesley Glen in Columbus. He was born in Columbus on July 7, 1952, to parents Frank and Mary Ellen Williams. In the Boy Scouts Wayne achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and was especially proud to later have his three sons and four of his grandsons become Eagle Scouts. Wayne learned the building trade from his father and joined his business after graduation, building and remodeling many homes in Clintonville and Upper Arlington. He continued as a home contractor on his own until he retired, working throughout the greater Columbus area. He was an avid flyer who was honored with the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award for achieving over 50 years of safe flying with no incidents. He inspired a love of flight in more than 300 young people by donating Young Eagle flights to those who wanted to learn to fly. His work for Angel Flight provided free air transport for sick children to specialty doctors across the U.S. Wayne loved aviation museums and was a founding member of the Pearl Harbor museum. He was a member of the Shriners Flying Nobles. He also joined the Civil Air Patrol assisting with search and rescue missions. Wayne was an active member of Maple Grove United Methodist Church for his entire life, as his parents had been before him. He shared his faith with his church group and with his brother Steve who lived with schizophrenia. Wayne became a caregiver for Steve following their parents’ deaths. Along with his wife Cheryl he helped care for 8 foster children. They took in babies and young children needing emergency placement and showed them love during a difficult time. Wayne was an instructor and lifetime member of the NRA and loved to spend time shooting with family. He also taught gun safety to Boy Scouts at their annual Turkey Shoot for many years. He loved to travel with his family and visited all 50 states, with a difficult flying trip to Alaska being a highlight. Wayne and Cheryl especially loved to visit Hawaii and shared many special places and memories there. Wayne saw great value in service to others. He was a Mason in University Lodge of Columbus for over a decade. As a universal donor, he donated over 10 gallons of blood with the American Red Cross over the years, a milestone only reached by donating a pint of blood more than 80 times. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Williams; son Matthew Williams and his wife Judy and their sons David, Mark, Adam and Luke; son Aaron Williams and his wife Maria; daughter Jessica Meakin and her husband, Bill, and their children Violet and Rosalind; son Nathan Williams and his wife Melissa and their sons Joseph and Lincoln; sisters Bett Smith and Judy Boyd Ruth. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Roger and Mary Ellen Williams; and brothers Steve and John Williams. Viewing Friday April 12 from 1pm to 3pm and funeral service at 3pm at Maple Grove United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers donations will go to place a birdhouse in his honor at Wesley Glen Retirement Community. Please visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/wayne-richard-williams for more information.

Wayne Williams

July 7, 1952 - April 6, 2024