I knew Mike for as long as i was a visit coordinator and visor chief. He was a cool, brilliant colleague and friend when we came to supporting each other to cope with cancer, He was real and humble and an honorable man. I want to send my condolences to his  family . He will be sorely missed.

In 1998, Mike hired me to assist him in visually impaired research at the VA and took me under his wing as I learned the ins and out of grants, blind rehabiliation facilities around the country, and keeping track of all the stats gained from thousands of 'telephonic research'. He was very dedicated to helping veterans and their communities benefit from all his number crunching.  Sending love and comfort to Mike's family and friends. We'll all miss your booming laugh, finger guns, and lively personality.

I met Mike when he started working at the VA at age 32 still with just a high school degree! He had had a lot of adventures in his twenties including playing in the band, but he was so ready to make something of himself professionally. He quickly finished his BA and then got a PhD in a very short time while working full time - is it possible? -  and he was off and running. To me he was a cool smart funny coworker and friend. Whenever I talked with him after I left the VA we fell right back into the groove. I'm so sorry that his unique personality is no longer with us, but I'm glad to have the Urban Shakedancers video which brings it right back to me.

Dear Sam and Hope, You will not remember me since I haven’t seen you since you were toddlers but I remember when you were born and I remember the absolute joy your father exuded every time he spoke of you. He was proud of you as children and as you grew into adults. He was brilliant and funny and shared knowledge and laughter with all of us at the Atlanta VA. We kept up sporadically after I left but no matter how long it had been since I heard from him, he always had a place in my heart and I still laugh at the fun we had. I am so sorry for your loss. We all have lost an incredible colleague and friend, the world has lost great music, and you have lost the most. I’m thinking of you and hope your memories bring you comfort. 
Lisa Riolo

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Dr. Michael Williams.  I send my love and prayers to his family and friends.  I completed an internship with Mike when I was graduating with my bachelors degree in Sociology from Georgia State University.  He hired me after graduation and that was the introduction to my career in the research field.  He was kind, funny and a talented musician.

Mike's BRS conference walk up song: Green Onions by Booker T. and the MG's

Mike was always supportive to all those in the field and celebrated everyone. He was so proud of being a father and loved sharing his kids' accomplishments. He had a positive impact on all those he encountered and he had this magic about him that made all of us want to listen and understand data.  He influenced all of us with his knowledge, laughter, love for music and genuinely kind and caring attitude.  He fostered growth in all of us and I hope we can all continue to live the Mike Williams legacy of being authentic and wanting to help others. Thank you Mike for shining your beautiful light onto this world and my heartfelt condolences to his family.

To Mike: Thank you. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and passion for data, the Veterans, your colleagues, and family.  Thank you for showing me what it looks like to love your work. 

To Mike's Family: Thank you for sharing Mike with us.  Please know the love you shared with him was felt by all. 

Khyra Chiles
Tulsa, OK

To Family & Friends of Mike Williams,

I loved hearing Mike speak at our Blind Rehab Conferences.  You could literally feel his passion for NUMBERS!!!  I miss that, it was so fun to witness!

He also assisted Pam Newton in writing a Rural Grant for a new VIST Coordinator in Pueblo, Colorado and I was the lucky one chosen to work there for 9 years!

May your family be blessed with peace and comfort at this difficult time.   May God Bless!

My sincere condolences to the entire family.  I worked with Mike for many years within Blind Rehabilitation Services at the Dept. of Veterans Affairs and he greatly impacted services for blind and low vision Veterans.  He was a very proud father and never missed an opportunity to share the great things the kids were doing as they blossomed into young adults.  We will miss him and I'm so blessed and thankful to have called him a friend.

I was saddened to receive this news.
Mike and I met through VA Blind Rehab.  He was a cheerleader & mentor for me when I authored a grant that ultimately got the Boise VA a much needed BROS (blind rehab outpatient specialist) position.  I appreciated his thoughtfulness, frankness, humor and basically keeping me sane during the process.
Godspeed, Mike!

Mike and I worked together for many years ,but never met in person until we shared a flight/seat row to Reno National BRS Conference.  We shared many of the same interests:  same birthdate Oct9th, playing the bass guitar, and serving our blinded veterans...He will certainly be missed! ...RIP my friend!

To Mike: Thank you for all your hard work over the years for VA Blind Rehab.  It was always very easy to see your passion and dedication to not only our Veterans but also your fellow Blind Rehab Specialists. 

To Mike's Family and Friends:  I wish you moments of comfort when the pain of loss is strong.  Sending all the love and comfort your way during this hard time.

I offer sincere condolences to Mike's family and other friends.  Mike was known first as a colleague and quickly became a friend to many of us in Blind Rehabilitation.  Mike contributed to me and our blind and visually impaired Veterans greatly not only through his service but through his friendship.  He is missed but never forgotten.

It was an honor and privilege to work with such a dedicated professional in VA Blind Rehab. 
You are in my thoughts and prayers at this time.  

Deanna Austin 
Indianapolis IN

Thank you, Mike, for all the good things you did for the Veterans and for being a wonderful colleague.  You brought your humor and your A game to everything you did. Well done good and faithful servant!

So sorry to hear of Mike's passing.  He helped me in so many ways when I  worked for Blind Rehab. Service. He contributed  so much to help our Blind veterans.  Never got to hear him play his base.  Rock on my friend.

So sorry to hear of Mike's passing.  He was a great person to know once I joined the VA in 2005.  His energy and data crunching of metrics were second to none.  I remember meeting Mike when he was conducting his research at Atlanta VAMC.  Thank you Mike for your dedication and hard work supporting BR staff and supporting our Veterans with  the best care anywhere.  

Your sense of humor, unique verbiage and musicianship will not be forgotten.  My condolences to your family and friends.  

With heavy hearts, RIP Mike!

Keeping Mike's family in my thoughts and prayers.  Mike was one of the first people I met when I started in Blind Rehabilitation Services within the VA.  It was the first conference I attended a week after starting.  He was so kind, funny, and intelligent.  I was in awe of him.  We became work friends and I really enjoyed the times we all went out and had dinners and drinks during conferences throughout the years.  So many people wanted to hang out with him because he was so funny!  I reached out to him after he retired, letting him know that he was missed in Blind Rehabilitation.  This is still true today.  The world is a little bit more boring now that he has passed!

I’m so very sorry. Your dad was amazing, and always a joy. I had the pleasure of working with him at the VA.
He spoke so highly of you. Know how very proud he is of you.
Best wishes,
Kelly

To Mike’s Family, 
Hold onto the good love and memories in your hearts, minds, and souls forever.  Until we all meet again one day.  Stay strong in mind, love and spirit. May you have peace, power and strength in this he days ahead.
To Mike, 
I got to know you when you were a grad student in Atlanta.  You and I became fast friends.  You were instrumental and incredibly supportive in my blind rehab career through and through.  We shared tears, we shared lots of laughs and good times together.  You will be greatly missed beyond words that can ever describe.  You will never be forgotten.  Peace and love. See you on the other side in time.

Mike was a wonderful colleague and friend.  He was so helpful to all that needed it, fun to talk to, hang with at conferences and just a wonderful person!  He will be greatly missed.

To his family, I am so sorry for your loss.  Prayers for peace and comfort during this time.

Mike was one of the first people to congratulate me when I became chief of the Biloxi Blind Rehab Service. He was always willing to answer questions and share his knowledge of data. His passing is a huge loss for the Blind Rehab community, but today I am thinking of those closest to him. You are in my thoughts and prayers for peace and comfort.

I want to express my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Michael Williams.  I was fortunate to know him through Blind and Rehabilitation Services at Veterans Affairs.  You will be in my prayers for strength, comfort, and peace during this difficult time. God Bless you!

Regards,

Dr. Veronica Harrington

Brother Mike- 
I'm so thankful for hours of laughing, sharing of stories, and drinks over the years.   I will miss our  conversations.  You left an indelible mark on VA Blind Rehabilitation.   We were lucky to have you, and we are better because of you.   

To your family - Mike was so valued to me, and he shaped Blind Rehab with his brilliant mind and charismatic style.  We lift you up in this time with prayers of compassion, warmth and inner peace.

Mike was both brilliant and down to earth.   He helped me often with my work, and was always fun to spend time with during our VIST conferences.  He will be greatly missed!!!

I never met Mr. Williams but I am sending comforting prayers for his family, colleagues and friends.  I have heard great things about him. He will be missed!
Beth
Biloxi Blind Rehab Center

OBITUARIO

Dr. Michael Dan Williams, PhD

9 octubre, 1962 – 19 julio, 2024

Floral Hills Funeral Home, Cremation Services & Memory Gardens

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