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IN LOVING MEMORY OF Jerry Williams
Jerry
Williams
March 31, 1947 – January 28, 2021
Jerry Williams' Obituary
Mr. Jerry Williams,73, of Utica departed this life on Thursday January 28,2021.
Jerry (Bo) Williams Jr. was a unicorn, disguised as a man, unwilling to accept reality and often able to defy it. He decided to rest on January 28, 2021 after winning a battle with Covid which left him tired and ready to sleep. Jerry passed away at Saint Luke's Hospital in New York at the young age of 73. He is survived by his brother, two daughters, ex-wife of 40+ years and friends.
Jerry was well liked by people he deemed worthy of his attention and loved by a select few. He had no time for "idiots" and no energy to waste on idle conversation. He was an independent, critical thinker, who loved to talk philosophy and politics. He had a clever sense of humor that could make you laugh at things you were mad about.
Jerry was also an inventor. Aside from reinventing careers, he credited himself with the innovation of the set-top box, for which he held a patent before one even existed. He had big dreams and endless determination to be his own boss and live on his own terms. He did just that.
Jerry Williams was a modest dresser, who paired white sneakers with slacks before it was cool. He was a firm believer in layering, two pairs of socks and undershirts a must. You couldn't catch him without "shades" when it was sunny but he didn't wear shorts or baseball caps until his forties.
He always had a great smile, even after his teeth were fake. The man was never without spearmint gum or tick tacks, fresh breathe a must. He was handsome and I believe told often enough to make his head slightly bigger than average. He was not ever average.
Jerry Williams Jr. was born in Utica New York on March 31,1947 to Jerry Williams Senior and Rosetta Williams. He was the second youngest of five boys, (Morris, Gerone, Dicky, Bo and Robert) raised by Rosetta as a single mom. They grew up close, with a healthy dose of sibling rivalry, in a home where prayer was common. Jerry loved playing basketball, football, and sports in general. He also excelled in school and enjoyed science. He built a radio from scratch when he was a young teenager. This is a proud story which he shared throughout his life.
In 1965, at age 18, Jerry left home to join the United States Air Force and served 4 years as a Sargent during the Vietnam war. On September 5th 1969 Jerry met Gail Viselli. This monumental event would change the course of both their lives. At the time Gail had a four and a half month old infant, Christina Marie, which he nicknamed "Tina Weena". In 1973 the three made their family official when Jerry and Gail were married. A year later they welcomed another daughter which they named Lisa Renee. They spent the next 18 years raising their two kids and remained married for over 40 years.
Jerry was very grateful for his family, especially for his last surviving brother Jerome. On many occasions he said "I don't know what I'd do without Gerone."
Even though Jerry and Gail were divorced the last seven years of his life, he told his daughter Tina that he loved Gail and didn't harbor any harsh feelings towards her. During the last months of his life, he also made it a point to let his children know that he loved them more than anything else in this world. Jerry liked to look at the positive things in life even when he was facing the end of his own.
He will be missed.
Jerry Williams Jr. March 31, 1947 - January 28, 2021
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