Michael Irvin Williams

He has fought the good fight, he has finished the race.
   Michael Irvin Williams, 74, passed from this life to be with Jesus, his Savior, on Thursday, Oct. 1, surrounded by his wife and children at Riverside Hospice following prolonged illnesses. Michael had three great loves in his life: his Catholic faith, his wife and children, and his teams: The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cleveland Browns. He graduated from the old St. Peter Elementary School, Bishop Hartley High School ('65) and attended The Ohio State University. 
   His education was interrupted by the Vietnam War draft in 1966. He rose to the rank of platoon sergeant in the United States Army, Company A, 7th Battalion, 3rd Infantry (affectionately referred to as the Big Red 1) and was honorably discharged in 1968. While serving his country Michael earned the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnamese Campaign Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Marksman Badge (Rifle M-14). For the rest of his civilian life, Michael's mission was helping and guiding many other disabled veterans through the red tape of the Veterans Administration. 
   He met his wife, Carla (née Banks) at Christmas Day Mass in 1986; they were married exactly one year later where they'd met, Columbus St. Joseph Cathedral. Four daughters were born to them: Ashley (Brett) Nobles; Katelyn, Megan and Taylor. Michael was inducted into the Knights of Columbus, Council 11187, making it to the third degree and participating while he was able. Although he'd had several jobs over his lifetime, Michael finally retired from Franklin County as a facilities manager in 2008, after a nearly-30-year career. 
   He is preceded in death by his beloved grandfather and grandmother, Irvin and Rosa (née Orlando) Barnett, his father Thomas Williams, his mother Ida Louise Bridges, his son Michael A. Williams, and his brother Thomas R. Williams. He is survived by his wife of 32 years and their four daughters; his sister Patricia Keaton; his brother Ronald Williams Sr., special cousins Gregory (Cathy) Waddell and Debby Waddell, several other cousins, and a multitude of nieces and nephews, whom he loved and adored.
   He and his wife were parishioners at St. Catharine of Siena, 500 South Gould Road, Bexley, 43209, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, Oct. 9. Visiting hours will be held Thursday, Oct. 8 from 4-7 p.m. at Egan-Ryan Funeral Home, 403 E. Broad St., Columbus, 43215.  Parking is available in the rear of the building.  Due to current health department guidelines, face masks will be required and social distancing should be maintained. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, where as a youth he spent some of the best summers of his life at the former Camp St. Joe's, which was once located on the grounds.
 

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