Thomas J. Williams

Thomas J. Williams, 75, of Girard, passed away suddenly at his home on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. 
Tom was born January 21, 1948, in Erie, a son of the late Thomas J. and Marguerite A. (Clark) Williams.
He grew up in Erie and graduated from Erie’s Cathedral Prep School in 1966.
America at this time was heavily involved in the war in Vietnam and Tom enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1967. Following recruit and infantry training, he deployed to Vietnam with HQ Co. 2nd Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division.  He began his duty assignment at Phu-Bai and was later stationed at Khe Sahn, where he and his fellow Marines were under siege from the Viet Cong from January to April of 1968, eventually beating back the North Vietnamese Army. He continued his deployment following that siege at Dong-Ha, AKA “Rocket City”, returning to Camp Lejeune in the fall of 1968. His last assignment was in Newport Rhode Island, at “COMCRUDESLANT” as an orderly on the security staff of Admiral J. W. Shaffer. 
Tom was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal with Combat "V" Device, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnamese Service Medal with 5 Stars and the Vietnam Campaign Medal w/device.
Upon his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Tom returned home to Erie, where he attended and graduated from Mercyhurst College (now University), receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology. Later receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree from SUNY at Stony Brook in Cardio-Respiratory Science. In the year 2003, he also received a master’s degree from Mercyhurst University in Organizational Leadership. 
Tom began his employment as soon as he returned home from the Marine Corps. While studying, he worked at St. Vincent Health Center as an orderly. He began his professional career at Hamot Medical Center as a Respiratory Therapist and later Supervisor of Respiratory Therapy and later was promoted to Assistant Director of Cardiopulmonary Services and eventually Director of Cardiopulmonary Services. He was Service Line Leader and Operations Director at the Hamot Heart Institute, where he retired from in 2012.
Tom was a member of St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church in Erie, where he was a Eucharistic Minister; a life member of the Girard American Legion Post #494 and served as Adjutant for many years. A Life Member of the Billie Simpson VFW Post #470; life member of the Khe Sahn Veterans Organization; The Lake Erie Detachment #293 of the Marine Corps league; was credentialed with the Project Management Institute as a Project Manager Professional in 2010. Tom volunteered at the Christian Cupboard and the PA Medical Reserve Corps. He participated with CERT, Community Response Team, through Erie County’s 911 dispatch center.
In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by two brothers, Michael W., and Leo J. “Joey” Williams.
His family includes his wife, Maria C. (Kloecker) Williams, whom he married, April 28, 2001 in Erie; a daughter, Carrie L. Williams (Dan Vogleman)); a son, LTC (R) Sean P. Williams (Nicole Mersch); four sisters, Sheila O’Brien, Julia Himmell (Martin), Maryanne Parsons (Bill Schneider) and Marguerite “Bridget” Williams; a brother,  Matthew Williams (Michelle) Chief (FE) USN (R); three grandchildren, Aiden, Noah, and Eva Williams; also many nieces and nephews.
Friends may call on Wednesday at Edder Funeral Home Inc., 309 Main St. East, Girard from 2 to 4 PM and 6 to 8PM and are invited to a Prayer Service there on Thursday at 9:00AM followed by the Funeral Mass at 10AM at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 2801 W. 6th St., Erie with Rev. Ross R. Miceli officiating.
Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery with military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, 18900 Jefferson Dr. Highway, Triangle, VA 22172 or to the Girard American Legion Post#494, 42 Wall St., Girard, PA 16417.
To send condolences go to edderfuneralhome.com.

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