Obituary of Mike Williams

Mike "Mikey" Williams, 67, passed away at home in Poughkeepsie with family by his side on Wednesday night, September 16, 2015. Despite fighting cancer, Mike managed to live his life the way he wanted until the very end - with optimism, humor, independence, energy and determination - even thriving and encouraging others through difficult treatments. Mike was born in Poughkeepsie on May 27, 1948 to the late Roger F. Williams and Virginia A. (Lewis), and was a 1966 graduate of Lourdes High School. He was a lifetime resident of Dutchess County, having lived in Billings, Millbrook, and Poughkeepsie. Mike was in the Army and trained at Fort Dix in 1968 where he was quickly recognized for being an excellent marksman. His love of tractors began at age four, and he spent much of his childhood working and playing at Murphy's Farm (now Vassar Farm). His love of tractors turned into a love of racing his 1969 Z28 Camaro, and eventually returned back to tractors. He maintained many friendships from his youth with people who he raced, played golf with, and played ball with at Spratt Park, Lourdes, and even the IBM little league. He was also an award-winning primetime bowler, a regular at Schneider's Fishkill Bowl, part of the Double Trouble League, and participated in the Scranton trip every year. Mike achieved his first 300 game just this year on March 9, 2015. If you met Mike, you couldn't help but like him, even if you played against him and lost. He was one of the few "lifers" from IBM, and retired after 42 years to pursue roles such as skilled groundskeeper, woodworker, fixer of everything, extreme metal detector, ice cream-Swedish Fish-and Dots connoisseur, duck feeder, Judge Judy apprentice, and extreme deer fence installer. While he honed these skills locally, he looked forward to showcasing them every year on Cape Cod, where he knew a hard day of metal detecting and visiting Nauset Beach would be rewarded with a great meal at Moby Dick's. Mike also was known by many as their go-to picture framer, a business he did on the side out of his home in Millbrook. His friends and family remember Mike as their generous, selfless, and loyal protector and advocate, always thinking of others before himself, and always available to help at a moments notice. His family members include his loving wife Pamela Kaba Williams, Pam's daughter Rebecca Zilinski and her partner Matt Keeney; his daughter Loryn (Williams) Benkowski, her husband Stefan, and her mother Karen (Windheim); his brother Roger Williams and his wife Leslie Hershey, the late Nancy Caputo, their children Stephanie (Williams) and Christian Russo, Kathryn (Williams) and Nick Alberti, Christopher Williams, Rachel Hershey, Janna Hershey, and Mike's great niece and nephews Julian, Alessia, and Johnny. Mike was also a bit of an animal whisperer, and also leaves behind two faithful feline companions, Billy and Lilly, three grandcats, a backyard flock of 8 goslings, 4 pond turtles, and a family of deer that live under the solar panels they're just so happy he provided for them. The family would like to extend special thanks for the staff at Sloan Kettering, Dyson, and Hudson Valley Hematology and Oncology, especially Emma, Emily, and Carol, and the ER nurses at Vassar. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Sparrow's Nest or the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, take time to feed the ducks, watch the turtles, have some ice cream, and be there for those you love. Calling hours will be held from 6-9pm on Weds. Sept 23rd at the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home, 371 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY. There will be a brief service at the funeral home at 8pm and time allowed for sharing and reflection afterward. For directions, online condolences and memorial donations please visit www.doylefuneralhome.com.