Dr. John Hyde Williams

93, following a brief illness.

His family, friends and patients affectionately identified him as “Jack” or “Dr. Jack”. He will be remembered for his long years of service in both family and internal medicine to residents of Grosse Pointe and the greater east side of Detroit.

In both his professional and personal life, Jack Williams was known to be caring and attentive. Those who remembered Jack best regarded him as charming and thoughtful, with a healthy sense of humor.

The son of Clarence and Laura (nee Hyde) Williams, John was born in 1927 in Grosse Pointe. He was a graduate of Grosse Pointe High School and chose to follow the examples of his father, grandfather and great grandfather by pursuing a career in medicine.

In 1947, after two years of service in the U.S. Army Air Corps, Jack fully embarked on his studies at the University of Michigan, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Science in 1950. He went on to earn a medical degree at the U of M School of Medicine in 1954.

Later in 1954, he began his internship and residency in New Hampshire at the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital, in association with Dartmouth Medical School. He completed his medical fellowship in Rhode Island at the Providence Lying-in Hospital.

Dr. Williams joined his father’s practice in 1957, providing care to patients in metropolitan Detroit.

After the death of his father in 1964, Jack continued in private practice. In 1988, he joined the Henry Ford Medical Group and became one of the founding members of Pierson Clinic in Grosse Pointe Farms.

During his long and distinguished career in medicine, Dr. Williams served as President of Medical Staff at Cottage Hospital and Senior Physician at Henry Ford Hospital. He also served as a trustee on the boards of Cottage Hospital and the Eastern Region of Henry Ford Health System.

Jack Williams first met his future wife Elizabeth (Betty) Adams during a social function at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club. They dated while attending the University of Michigan. Married in 1953, they raised daughters Susan, Martha and Elizabeth in their Grosse Pointe Woods home. The family became active members of Christ Church of Grosse Pointe, with Jack serving for a period on the board of the Vestry.

Sadly, Betty Williams died in the winter of 1982.

Following a long period of mourning, Jack Williams found solace in the company of Norah Moncrieff Martin, a fellow parishioner at Christ Church, who had been previously married to Darwin D. Martin Jr. (deceased). In 1985, Jack and Norah married.

After more than four decades of service in the medical profession, Dr. Williams chose to retire in 1999.

Jack was an avid reader with a deep enthusiasm for technology and photography. His cultural interests included the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Grosse Pointe Theater. He was a member in good standing at the Grosse Pointe Seniors Men Club and Grosse Pointe Yacht Club. As an alumni member, Jack took an active interest in the University of Michigan and its football team, often attending home games in Ann Arbor.

With various members of his expanded family, Jack traveled extensively in the United States, along with faraway destinations like Great Britain, Europe, and China. He and his second wife Norah were particularly fond of vacations in the Caribbean during Michigan winters.

Beloved husband of Elizabeth (nee Adams) (deceased). Beloved brother of James (Anne) Williams. Beloved father of Susan (David) Chaklos, Martha Williams, Elizabeth (Mark) Lewis. Beloved grandfather of Kenneth Chaklos, Elizabeth “Betsy” Chaklos, Christine (Nick) Penhale, Laura (Chris) Craft, Michelle (Brian) Craft, Sgt. Ian McConnell, USMC (deceased), Margaret “Meg” (T.C.) Schellinger. Beloved great grandfather of Elizabeth ‘Lily’ Penhale, Lucas Penhale, Joshua Craft, Kaitlyn Craft, Maya Schellinger.

Beloved husband of Norah (nee Moncrieff Martin). Beloved stepfather of Darwin (Lori) Martin III, Christopher Martin, Dr. Michael (Meipo) Martin. Beloved grandfather of Bryan Martin, Dr. Kyle (Dr. Chelsea) Martin. Beloved great grandfather of Brandon Martin, Jaden Martin, Jessa Martin, Blake Martin, Imogen Martin, Peter Martin, Charlotte Martin.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, memorial services for Jack Williams will be determined at a future date. The committal of his ashes will be conducted by immediate family members in a private ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Dr. Williams can be made to the following:

University of Michigan, Office of University Development, 3003 S. State St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109 - Attn: Medical school class of 1954 scholarship fund.

All Saints Fund of Christ Church of Grosse Pointe, 61 Grosse Pointe Blvd., Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236.