George J. Williams

Williams, George J. “Jug” MADISON-George J. “Jug” Williams, age 84, died peacefully, July 28, 2014, at Agrace HospiceCare, surrounded by many that loved him. George was born on June 18, 1930, in Osseo, Wis., the oldest of ten children. He lived out his childhood in Osseo and Tomah, Wis., graduating from Tomah High School in 1948. He then moved to Illinois to find work. It was there that he was given the nickname “Jug”, a name that stuck with him all of his adult life. It was also there that he met Jeanette, the love of his life and future wife. George was inducted in the U.S. Army in 1951, and after training was sent to Korea as part of the First Armored Division during the Korean conflict. He and many other Wisconsin veterans were awarded the Korean War Service Medal on Veterans Day, 2000. The medals were presented during a State Capitol ceremony marking the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War. After returning to civilian life, he married his wife of 60 years, Jeannette Getzelman and they moved to Madison where he passionately strived to achieve the “American Dream” for his family. He took advantage of the education benefits on the G.I. Bill to further his education. Jug graduated from Madison Business College with a Master of Accounts degree in 1957, preparing him for a lifetime of work as an accountant, bookkeeper and tax preparer. Jug was a man that loved sports; he participated in baseball, softball, tennis, golf and bowling most of his adult life and enjoyed the strong friendships that developed through team sports. He also coached Monona Little League teams and played in adult softball leagues for many years. Poor guy was a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs and took a lot of kidding about their failure to win a pennant year after year. Jug also loved history, especially as it relates to United States Presidents. He read countless books and visited almost every U.S. Presidential Library, home or museum across the United States. Travel was a high priority, especially car trips resulting in travel to all 50 states and the Provinces of Canada as well as many cruises and trips abroad. Survivors include his wife, Jeanette; children, Stephanie (Jim) Iliff, Patrick (Nan) Williams, Michael Williams and Sandy (Brian) Fiedler. He is further survived by thirteen grandchildren, Steven, Sarah (Brian Gall) and Katie Iliff, Kelly (Shashi Sijapati), Jeremy (Tiffany Kuntz) and Chelsey Williams, Stephanie (Chad Vieau), Leanne and Scott Williams, Jennifer and Andrew Provenzano, Kyrston and Kyle Fiedler; and seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three brothers, Dick, Bob and Roger Williams; and two sisters, Janis Rayburn and Janet Bell. A celebration of Jug’s life is scheduled at MONONA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 606 Nichols Road, Monona, at Noon, on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. A luncheon with a time to greet friends and family will follow service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Monona United Methodist Church in his memory. The church and church family meant a great deal to him since he and Jeanette have been active members since 1962. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420