John Bert Williams

John Bert Williams was born in the Heights Hospital in Houston, Texas, on November 16, 1938, to Bernice (Dinklage) Jackson and John Williams, Sr. He attended Immanuel Lutheran School in Houston and then Lutheran High, where he met his beloved wife Valeria (Freels). They were both voted “Most Athletic” and were Prom King and Queen in their senior year, 1956. John attended Valparaiso University on a football scholarship, earning a degree in electrical engineering. John and Val were married in Houston at Trinity Lutheran downtown on December 20, 1959. They moved to the Washington, D.C. area for a time where John worked for Goddard while completing his Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from George Washington University. They returned to live in Houston in 1965, where John worked at NASA until his retirement in 1995. They had four children - Janet, Phillip, Christopher (in memoriam), and Gregory. John was always extremely involved in the community of Sagemont, coaching his children in baseball and basketball, serving as President of the Sagemont/Beverly Hills Little League, and attending every school and community activity in which his children were involved. He and Val became members of Hope Lutheran in Friendswood, also in 1965, and he was a devoted and generous member. He loved to sing and participated in choir, taught Sunday School classes (many of his students, now grown, learned details of the life of Martin Luther thanks to his teaching), served as President of the congregation, and was a staunch supporter of the pastors and their staff through the years.

John was ever a lifelong learner and his interests were many and varied. Looking around his office at home, one sees evidence of a keen mind and a sincere desire to learn. There are books on theology next to books in German, books of German and Spanish grammar, National Geographics, alongside some fiction and non-fiction books, nestled between shelves of music CD’s (from baroque to classical, rock and jazz) and many, many maps. John was expert at planning trips for his entire family, including unforgettable summer trips across the entire country and Mexico when his children were young, to once in a lifetime trips that included his own children and their families to Ireland, Hawaii, and always, always Big Bend National Park. He was fascinated by history and the genealogy of family, which led him to research and write chapters on his family history and that of his wife’s as well. He made contact with family and friends in Germany, which sparked friendship and frequent travel between Germany and the U.S. Those written genealogies remain a treasure for his children and their families, as well as for extended family members.

The many photographs of children and grandchildren seen throughout the house, in his office, and printed from the computer, show a father and grandfather who was completely devoted to them. His fierce support of his children extended to his grandchildren as well. The death of his and Val’s son, Christopher, in 1995, was a source of profound grief, yet his deep pride in Chris continued, as with all his children.

John was hospitalized on two different occasions through the summer, but his family is ever thankful that he came home and died peacefully in his sleep the morning of Saturday, September 2, 2023. John was preceded in death by his parents Bernice Dinklage Jackson and John Williams, Sr., brothers Graham Jackson and Grover Williams, and son Christopher Williams. Those who remain to mourn and yet celebrate his life include his wife of 63 years, Valeria Freels Williams; his children and their families: Janet Williams Ludwig (husband David, children Benjamin and Christopher), Phillip Williams (wife Mary, children Christopher and Elizabeth), Gregory Williams (wife Tamara, child Jack); his brother William Jackson; extended family, and many friends in the community whom he also esteemed as family.

We miss him very much and are extremely thankful for the love and support family and friends have showered upon him, and all of us, today and through the years. Thank you for being part of his family and his community.

A visitation will be held on Friday, September 8, 2023 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Forest Park East Funeral Home in Webster. There will be another brief visitation on Saturday, September 9, 2023 from 11:00 am to 11:30 am at Hope Lutheran Church in Friendswood. The funeral service will follow at 11:30 am at Hope Lutheran Church with committal at Forest Park East Cemetery. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Williams family.