John passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 6, 2026, with both of his beloved daughters by his side.
Born on Jan. 3, 1942 to John W. and Verna R. Williams in Altoona, PA. He attended Hollidaysburg High School in PA, where he graduated in 1959. John enlisted in the Navy along with his best friend (since age 5) Rob Little. John met Sharon Ferguson at Pleasant Valley Gospel Church in Altoona, PA as a child, and he married her on Feb 23, 1962, in Meridian, MS. After 9 years in the Navy they moved to Mesa, AZ in 1969.
John worked for Motorola as an Aerospace Engineer. He helped design the data processing system that sent back the first pictures of Mars on the Viking 2 spacecraft. John was fortunate to have enjoyed an early retirement from Motorola in October 1998. During his retirement years, John found great joy working for the golf course rating team with the Arizona Golf Association, and he rated over several hundred courses over his career. John was also a coach for Scottsdale Community College Men’s golf team for over eight years. John loved spending time with his family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He and his wife Sheri were fixtures at many Junior Golf tournaments as volunteers supporting their grandchildren and John was known as “Papa” to many of the kids. He also enjoyed playing the guitar and harmonica, singing, cooking, (he took gourmet cooking classes) and always celebrating holidays in a big way. Family traditions were very important to him. His favorite things were spending a lot of time on the golf course (he had 2 double eagles and 6 hole in one’s during his lifetime) analyzing his golf swing, hunting and fishing. John had a life well lived and well loved, he has left a beautiful legacy behind in his family and now is watching over them from Heaven.
John is survived by his two daughters, Dana McCullough (Bill) and Cindi Wilson (Jerry). He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Alexandria “Ali” Wienke (Jeff), Brett Wilson (Nicole), Colton West, Samantha “Sami” Cuttlers, and Lynn McCullough. John was also blessed with 4 great grandchildren, Jett and Paige Wienke, and Cheyenne and Barrett Wilson. He is also survived by his sister, Carol Focht (Jim) of Sedley, VA. John is also leaving behind nieces, nephews, and cousins, whom he loved greatly.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, September 18, 2026. Viewing will be held at 1 pm, a gathering at 1:30, service at 2 pm with Military Graveside Service to follow at Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery 7900 E. Main St. Mesa, AZ 85207.
Please join the family for a “Celebration of Life” in his honor at Red Mountain Ranch Country Club – Red Mountain Room at 6425 E. Teton Cir., Mesa, AZ. immediately following the graveside service.
For those who wish to make a gesture in his honor, contributions can be made directly to The JGAA ( Junior Golf Association of Arizona ). To donate to the Junior Golf Association of Arizona (JGAA) in memory of our father, John R. Williams, you can give online or by mail.
How to Donate:
• Online:
Visit the official JGAA Donate Page (https://jgaa.org/get-involved/donate/). Click their donation link or use their PayPal option.
Be sure to use the notes, comments, or dedication field to state that your gift is “In memory of John R. Williams.”
• By Mail:
Make your check payable to the Junior Golf Association of Arizona. Write “In memory of John R. Williams” on the memo line.
Mail it to their headquarters:
Junior Golf Association of Arizona
5555 East Karsten Way, Suite 9
Phoenix, AZ 85008
Celebrating 75 years of serving our community