John Edward Williams Jr., 69 was a family man, collector, and businessman with a knack for sales, and an unwavering sense of loyalty that knew no bounds when it came to his beloved family. John was a hands-on father who gave his kids and grandkids every opportunity and devoted his time to being as involved in their lives as any parent or grandparent could be. He was a smart guy, with computer-like knowledge about the things that interested him and a mixture of charisma and expertise that made him a natural salesman who made friends everywhere he went.

John Edward Williams Jr. of South Portland died Sunday March 10, 2024 at Maine Medical Center after a short battle with cancer. The oldest son of John Edward Williams Sr. and (Christina) Dolores (Bowring) Williams, John was born on February 14,1955 in Portland, Maine. John was a lifelong resident of South Portland and an elder of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and took great pride in his native heritage and his community.

A man of many talents and skills he went to work for the Maine Central Railroad as a young adult and later went on to open his own store, Hilltop Coins and Gifts, and life's circumstances eventually allowed him to become a stay-at-home Dad focusing all his energy on his family and his hobbies. John was a member of the Gorham Coin Club for most of his life and served as President until this year.  He loved to talk about rare and valuable coins with many collector friends and was an avid collector from a young age.  He was very well known for his fascination and vast knowledge of coins, jewelry, guns, and other valuables.

John's greatest accomplishment, biggest source of joy and what he committed himself to 100% was raising his family. He was a hands-on father to his four children and grandfather to his grandkids. He was always involved in their education, hobbies, and employment, and he devoted himself to fulfilling the dreams of his kids and grandkids, whether that was Taekwondo, dance, scouts, or anything else they wanted to try. John was the rock of his family, he was always available if he was needed, no questions asked, and there was nothing in the world he wouldn't do for the people he loved. He will be missed forever but the lessons on family, love, commitment, and business that he taught those who knew him will live on forever in the children he raised and the lives he touched.

John was predeceased by his parents John Williams Sr. and Dolores Williams; and his son Zackery Williams. He is survived by his children: daughter Sherri Williams, son John Williams III and his wife Ashley Williams, Zackery's wife Laurie Williams, daughter Alysia Williams and her fiancé Matthew Sanchez; his brother Michael Williams and his wife Zsuzsa Williams, his brother James Williams; his grandsons Logan Williams, Ethan Hethcoat, Tannor Castonguay, Joel Williams and Kaine Fournier; his granddaughters Cassidy Weymouth, Meadow Williams, Alexus Williams and Isabella Sanchez; his nephew Michael Williams his wife Kate Foley and their daughters Zoe and Alice Williams; his niece Christina and her husband Rob Grygiel, their daughter Faye Grygiel and a baby on the way; along with so many other cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visiting hours are being held on Friday, March 22nd from 4-7 p.m. at Hobbs funeral home at 230 Cottage Road in South Portland; a funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 23rd at 11 a.m. at Hobbs funeral home followed by a graveside service at Calvary Cemetery in South Portland.

In lieu of flowers please donate to The Dempsey Center/Challenge or any charity that means something to you. Donations can be made in John's memory below. If you donate by check, be sure to write John's name in the note line.

Dempsey Center/Challenge - If you would like to donate via check, please mail it to PO Box 277, Auburn, ME 04212, or donate online at, https://www.dempseycenter.org .