Chester A. Williams

Chester (Chet) A. Williams passed away on October 24, 2018, at Maplewood Senior Living of Cuyahoga Falls after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.
He was born in Fullerton, Kentucky on August 15, 1929, to Clara (Benton) and Chester A. Williams Sr.
He graduated from West Liberty High School in Lucasville, Ohio and was awarded County Basketball Player of the Year as a senior. Lucasville is also where he earned his lifelong nickname, "Goose". Following high school he worked for the Sunshine Biscuit Company before joining the U.S. Army in 1951. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army he entered Kent State University where he obtained a degree in Business Administration. He was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity and was co-captain of the baseball team his senior year. He has established the Chet Williams Baseball Scholarship Endowment Fund.
Following graduation, he immediately began working at Kent State as Business Manager of Athletics and served 4 years as the secretary/treasurer for the NCAA Athletic Business Managers Association.
Over the next 36 years he held a variety of positions at Kent State including Director of Safety and Auxiliary Services which oversaw the Police Department, Parking & Traffic, Bus Service, Golf Course, Ice Arena, Occupational and Fire Safety Programs, etc. He was proud of his time serving as Director of the Physical Plant where he helped launch a beautification and expansion of campus plantings, efficiency of the Heating Plant and Campus Custodial Services. He retired in 1993 as Associate Vice President for Business Affairs. He was awarded the President's Medal for his contributions that same year. It states that "Chet's service to the University was dedicated, unwavering and professional" and mentions that "commitment is used to define the dedication of the professional life of Chet to Kent State University".
In 2002, he was inducted into the Varsity K Athletic Hall of Fame.
Outside of his work, Chet was a 50 year member of the Kent Kiwanis Club where he served on numerous local and state committees and served as a District Lieutenant Governor.
He was an avid gardener always creating a new vision for the yard and plantings that produced beautiful landscapes. He enjoyed many hours on the golf course and was a member of several leagues. Chet enjoyed all kinds of music and played the trombone in his high school band. He enjoyed traveling the world with Mike and friends. Some of their trips included Hawaii, Italy, England, Ireland, Scotland, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, cruises on the Caribbean .….and of course the many winters and summer vacations spent in Hilton Head, S.C.
On the top of Chet's list was family. He adored his grandchildren and never missed a chance to cheer them on at a basketball, baseball or softball game. He attended their band concerts, taught them the game of golf, took them on bike rides, and always tried to teach them the value of gratitude and hard work based on his very humble beginnings early in life growing up during the depression on a small farm in Southern Ohio.
Chet is survived by his wife, Mikelann; daughter, Julie Brett (Dr. Dan Brett); grandchildren, Zachary Brett & Hallie Brett; sister, Frances Vaughn (Eddie) of Centerville, OH and her children Susan and Frank Edward ;niece Janie Diane Sachs (Dr. Edward Sachs) of Lakewood Ranch, FL; nephew Jack Rose (Joy Rose) of Tiffin, OH; nephew Bill Rose (Sherry Rose) of Henrietta, TX.
He was preceded by his mother and father, sisters Deskie Rice (Harry), Jean Thompson (Robert) and Willa Mae Williams.
Cremation has taken place.
A memorial reception will be held on Sunday, November 4, 2018 at Maplewood of Cuyahoga Falls, 190 W. Bath Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223 between 1:00-4:00PM. Feel free to wear Kent State gear or blue & gold.
Donations may be made in Chet's name to:
*The Chet Williams Baseball Scholarship Endowment at KSU ~ mail to Athletics Advancement, 191 MAC Center, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242.
*The Associate Fund at Maplewood of Cuyahoga Falls: 190 W. Bath Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44223
*The Local Alzheimer's Association: checks are payable to the Alzheimer's Association and are sent to 70 W. Streetsboro St. Suite 201, Hudson, OH 44236…place Chet's name in the memo.

We want to thank the many dedicated caregivers of Maplewood Senior Living and the staff of Harbor Light Hospice for the genuine love and compassion they give to the individuals in their care. Chet was always around people who got to know him, cared about him as the person he was and did all they could to make his journey through Alzheimer's dignified.