John H. McWilliams, Jr.
Of Milford, passed away Friday, February 4, 2011 at the Delaware Veterans Home in Milford. He was 86.
John was born on May 6, 1924 in Mifflintown, Pennsylvania, son of the late John H. and Belle (Lauver) McWilliams.
He graduated in 1942 from the Mifflintown/Juniata High School.
At the age of 20, he enlisted in the Navy, serving for two years overseas during World War II. After his return, he attended and graduated from Pennsylvania Military School in Chester, Pennsylvania with a degree in Civil Engineering.
Shortly after his marriage in 1950, he and his wife, Jessie, moved to Delaware where he accepted employment as chief surveyor with the State of Delaware in Georgetown, later working out of Dover and finally serving as District Engineer in Georgetown retiring in 1986.
John enjoyed hunting in Delaware and at his hunting camp in his native Pennsylvania with family and friends. His greatest joy was special times spent with his family, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He was a member of the Jefferson Lodge #15 A.F.&A.M. in Lewes and a devoted member since 1957 of the First Presbyterian Church in Milford where he had served over the years as a Sunday School teacher, Trustee and Elder.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Jessie Innis McWilliams; a son, John E. McWilliams and his wife Cheryll Hills McWilliams of Milford; a daughter, Linda McWilliams Warren and husband Joseph Warren of Milford; a sister, Donna Goss of Belleville, PA; four grandchildren; Robin McWilliams Targett, John K. McWilliams and wife Leslie, Matthew S. Smith and his companion Alexis Rose and Joseph Warren and wife Tracy; five great grandchildren; Morgan McWilliams, John Tyler McWilliams, John Alexander McWilliams, Meadow Warren and Ryder Warren and a nephew, Jeff Goss of Belleville, PA.
Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 10, 2011 at Rogers Funeral Home, 301 Lakeview Ave, Milford, where friends may call two hours prior.
Burial will follow at the Milford Community Cemetery on Route 113.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions to the First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 172, Milford, DE, 19963 or to Home of the Brave, 6632 Sharps Rd, Milford, DE, 19963.
(02/06/11)