Thomas B. Williams

Williams, Thomas Blair, 96, Cresson, went to be with the Lord and his wife of almost 55 years on January 2, 2019 at Hollidaysburg Veterans Home. Born on January 3, 1922, Altoona, he was the oldest child of the late Harold and Marie (Stimer) Williams. Proceeded in death by his wife Helen Louise Gettings whom he married on 4 September 1948; and son Joseph John Williams. Survived by children; Thomas G. Williams, Cresson, formerly married to Fiorella Matteazzi of Vicenza, Italy; James M. Williams, Erie, Colorado, married to To Hyang Im of Songtan, South Korea; and Patricia Louise Orr, Ijamsville, MD, married to Stephen R. Orr III; grandchildren Rossella, Tommy, Maria Cristina, John Joseph, Stephen IV, Michael, Meagan, and Patrick; sister, Helen Hildebrand, Altoona; and close cousin, Louise Wilson Vero Beach, FL; sisters-in-law, Patricia (Edgar) Conrad and Eleanor (Ben) Latterner; and brother-in-law, James (Mary) Gettings. Tom was a World War II Veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving in a CB (construction battalion) and aboard destroyer tenders in the Pacific. He was a life member of the Sankertown Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 7377. Tom was also a third degree in the Knights of Columbus, Saint Anne’s Council in Cresson. He attended Altoona High School and Williamson Trade School, and received a bachelor’s degree with the G.I. Bill from St. Francis College after the war. Tom continued his education, he attained his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Penn State University. His working career included scientific research in Pennsylvania and North Carolina, specializing in rocket fuels, tobacco, and controlled tests for the Environmental Protection Agency. He was a lifetime member of the American Chemical Society. Tom enjoyed a rich, full life and was a lifetime fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers.  He was an accomplished carpenter, and enjoyed gardening and lawn maintenance, and regretted not playing golf later in life. He loved teasing the family’s Irish Setters and Labrador Retrievers! Family and friends will be received January 7 from 2 – 7 p.m. at the Kennedy-Anderson Funeral Home, 233 Keystone Ave, Cresson, where a vigil for the deceased will be held. Funeral Mass will be celebrated January 8, 11 a.m., Father Leo Arnone, Commander and Chaplain, U.S. Naval Reserve, celebrant. St. Aloysius Catholic Church.  Military honors provided by the Sankertown VFW, Cresson American Legion, and other local posts. The family would like to give a special “thank you” to the staff at the Hollidaysburg Veterans Home for all their care and support for Dad’s three year and eleven month stay with them. Their friendship and constant concern for “Tommy” made his quality of life as good as anyone could provide.  Chaplain Monsignor Przybocki was his good friend there too. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the All Saints Catholic School in memory of his appreciation for education and Remembrance Masses in his name would be appreciated. Arrangements handled by Kennedy-Anderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Condolences may be made at KennedyAndersonFuneralHome.com