Obituary of Herbert Lloyd Williams

Williams, Herbert Lloyd “Bert” “Herb” – peacefully at the Victoria Hospital, London on Saturday, January 9, 2016. On April 26, 1936 Bert was born Harry Johnson Jr. and as his birth mother was unable to care for him he was placed in the Sault Ste. Marie Orphanage. His maternal aunt, Clara Williams and her husband Lloyd brought him home from the orphanage and lovingly raised him as their own. Bert married Margery Taylor in 1959, had two children, Michael and Darlene and a sole and favourite granddaughter Megan Sundercock. Also loved like a grandfather by Jessica Davutovic. Bert started working at Algoma Steel when he was just 16 years old. Without an opportunity for much formal education Bert’s thirst for knowledge sent him down a path of self-education by reading as many books as he could (usually at least 3 at a time) and had an avid interest in daily current events. Not completing his grade 12, he attended night school to obtain it and he was the valedictorian of his class. He decided to retire after 33 years and finished his career as a roller and foremen in the 46” mill. Not ready to stop working, when he relocated to London Ontario to be closer to his children and granddaughter he hit the pavement to find a job. He started working at the Thames Centre Landfill in Dorchester as a scale operator and often told us how much he loved his job. He retired again due to his declining vision and health when he was 77 years old. He’s now off to find another job in a better place. Bert is being cremated and no service or memorial will occur as he requested and his family will take him home to Sault Ste. Marie to rest beside his mother Clara in the spring. Huge thanks to the doctors and nurses on the 6th floor at Victoria Hospital for giving him the dignity and respect he so deserved and for their genuine kindness and support they showed to us all. Not a moment will go by when he won’t be missed for his smile and kindness.