Donald Lee Williams Sr.

WINTHROP – Donald Lee Williams Sr., 79, died Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, Augusta, after the last few years of battling with a respiratory disease. He was born in Waterville on Jan. 17, 1945, the son of Burton Miles and Helen (Thrombly) Williams.

Don graduated from Winthrop High School in the class of 1964. Shortly after graduation, on June 27, he married the love of his life, Gail Morgan.

Don worked in many capacities throughout his life. After high school, he worked in the woods in Readfield for the Mace family before being employed for a short while with Nichols Pontiac in Augusta. He then went out on his own, running his own body shop on the Wayne Road in Winthrop for a while after which, in 1971, he and Gail bought the old Coopers Market, which became Gail’s Market, where they remained and operated for 30 years. After selling Gail’s market, Don became employed with the Town of Winthrop, where he worked at the Transfer Station until his retirement. As busy as he was, Don still found time throughout most of his working life to help his sons, Bill and Don Jr., with their respective construction projects.

Don was an avid outdoorsman, with a special affinity for hunting and fishing. He also loved going to his children and grandchildren’s sporting events. He was very proud of them all!

Don was preceded in death by his brother, Burton Williams Jr. and sister, Janice Payson.

He is survived by Gail, his wife of 60 years; his children, Donald Williams Jr. and wife Deborah of Richmond, Bill Williams and wife Terri, Darren Williams, and Barbie Petkers and husband Robert, all of Winthrop; grandchildren, Ashley West and husband Nick of Bowdoinham, Brandy Martens and husband Shawn of Litchfield, Austin Ayotte and wife Sammie of Jay, Emma Ayotte of Winthrop, Aaron Petkers of Winthrop, Haley Williams of Winthrop and Connor Williams of Winthrop; great grandchildren, Nora and Delilah West of Bowdoinham, Dean Martens of Litchfield, Jaxon Ayotte of Jay, plus three bonus great grandchildren, Hunter, Damion and Fenix Woodsome of Jay; as well as nephew Devin Williams of Fayette.

Private services to be held at a later date.

Arrangements and guidance are in the care of Roberts Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 62 Bowdoin Street, Winthrop. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website http://www.khrfuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flowers,

donations in Don’s memory may be made to:

travismillsfoundation.org