Obituary of Sherman Williams

Peacefully at Strathroy Hospital on Thursday, April 2, 2009 with his family by his side. Sherman Harold Williams in his 84th year. Sherman was born and lived his entire life on the family farm at RR8 Watford. Loving husband of Sue (Woolvett) and dear father of Robert and Evelyne Williams of Stratford, Mark and Corie Williams of London, Barb and Adrian Vermeiren of Watford. Grandchildren Jodi and Paul Hayhoe, Steven Williams and Jennifer Poppe, Robert Williams and Lindsay Parkin, Lauren Williams, David Williams, Stephanie Williams, Erik and Brenda Vermeiren, Rebecca and Patrick Sitlington, Brent Vermeiren (1984), Katelyn Vermeiren and great grandchildren Ellen and Jack Hayhoe, Conor, Eva and Alexander Vermeiren and Maxwell Sitlington. Survived by sisters Marj and Bud Cundick, Jennie Shipway, brother in law Robert Woolvett and Lella, sister in laws Anne Woolvett, Dorothy Woolvett. Predeceased by sister Donna Elliot and brother Ross Williams. Thank you to the medical staff at Strathroy Middlesex Hospital and VON Homecare. Visitation will be held at DENNING FUNERAL DIRECTORS-Watford Chapel on Sunday, April 5th, 2009 from 1-4 pm. Funeral Service will be held on Monday at 11 am from Trinity Anglican Church, Watford with visitation one hour prior. Interment to follow at St. Paul's Anglican Cemetery, Wisbeach. Donations to the Trinity Anglican Church or Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family. Donations and condolences may be left online at www.denningfuneralhome.com Sherman was born March 6, 1926, in the house where he lived his entire life. He felt a strong connection to the farm that has been in the Willliams' family since the mid 1800's and was happy to stay there throughout his life. In the early years with three young children, Sherman and Sue worked together to build a life on the farm for their family. From the early 1950's, Sherman was involved in trucking, eventually moving into the farm and municipal drainage business, along with bulldozing and draglines. Throughout the 1960's, Sherman worked in excavating and earthmoving in southern and eastern Ontario with a fleet of distinctive lime green heavy equipment. He also developed and built several drainage ploughs and installed many miles of corrugated plastic tile for farm drainage. During this time he also moved heavy equipment throughout Ontario with his float business. Sherman continued to drive truck until 1999. He wasn't all work and no play though. Throughout these years, Sherman and Sue could be found at Delaware Speedway, for the Friday night stock car races, and out dancing on Saturday nights. He also loved to go camping in the RV, both locally and for extended stays in Florida. In later years they enjoyed many camping adventures with the Foresters "On the Road Again" gang. At home, he enjoyed a good campfire, started with diesel fuel, of course, and enjoyed the occasional "skinny dip" in his swimming pool. He also spent many happy times snowmobiling with friends and family. Sherman loved to watch NASCAR races, eat huge bowls of maple syrup with white bread, and drive his 'gator' to the bush. He loved country music especially Patsy Cline and Daniel O'Donnell. Church was also an important part of his life and he was a regular parishioner at St. Paul's Wisbeach, and later at Trinity Anglican, Watford. Sherman's life was centered on family, and he always enjoyed get-togethers with his three children and their spouses, his 9 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Even after his stroke in April 2000, which affected him physically, he made the best of things and continued to partake in many events with family and friends, including the celebration of his 83rd birthday on March 6th of this year. Sherman will be missed by all, but will always be remembered for his honesty, kindness, and good nature.