John Cobb Williams 1930-2012
John Cobb Williams, 82, of Wilmette, IL and Naples, FL, died Friday, November 30, 2012 at Avow Hospice of Naples.
He was born in Wilmette, the son of Ralph M. and Mary (Cobb) Williams.
He graduated from New Trier High School, Wesleyan College and Yale Law School. In college he was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity and particularly enjoyed singing in the school's choir.
He married Helen Grace Gilbert, of Kenilworth, IL, in 1955 at Kenilworth Union Church. Three daughters were born soon thereafter - Holly Montague (Larry Gniadek) of Mount Prospect, IL, Nancy Williams (Sandy Morrison) of Portland, OR and Sarah Mason Williams (Gabriel Ramirez) of Los Angeles, CA.
John spent his entire legal career as a partner at the Chicago office of Sidley & Austin, specializing in trusts and estates. He served many years on the Village Board of Northbrook, IL, including a four year term as Village President. He contributed extensive work to the Illinois Bar Association. John particularly enjoyed his community of friends, traveling, tennis, reading, writing, and singing in the Glencoe Union Church choir.
Helen died in 1999. In 2004, he married the Honorable Virginia Blankenbaker, of Indianapolis and Wilmette, also at Kenilworth Union Church. Virginia served as an Indiana State Senator before settling in Wilmette where she was introduced to John by mutual friends.
He is predeceased by his brother, Ralph F. Williams (Muriel) of Frankfort, MI and his sister Mickey (Jack) Williams Butler of Winnetka, IL.
He is survived by his daughters, Holly, Nancy and Sarah; wife, Virginia and her family, Susan (Nick) Noyes of Wilmette, IL; Sharon Blankenbaker Smith of Naples; David Blankenbaker of Scottsdale, AZ; Betsy Blankenbaker of Miami, FL and Indianapolis, IN; Jim (Carrie) Blankenbaker of Indianapolis, IN; 15 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; and extensive other family including many beloved nieces, nephews and their grandchildren.
Cremation has taken place at Fuller Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions in John's name may be made to the North Naples United Methodist Church, Kenilworth Union Church and New Trier Education Foundation.
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