WEST GARDINER – Russell “Skip” L. Williams, 77, died on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. His loving family was by his side.

Skip was born in Gardiner, Maine on Dec. 9, 1947, the son of the late Russell L. and Margaret S. (Clary) Williams. He attended local schools and graduated from Gardiner Area High School in the class of 1966.

On Oct. 3, 1964, Skip married his high school sweetheart, Beverly Jordan, at the Winter Street Baptist Church in Gardiner.

Skip started working at an early age for his father and grandfather in the logging and firewood business. He later worked for the towns of Gardiner and Richmond and served as a police officer for Gardiner for several years. In 1985 he went to work for the Maine Department of Transportation working his way up to Superintendent, retiring in 2011.

In his spare time, Skip loved being outside hunting, fishing, and boating on the lake with Bill and Lori and going to the family camp in Kingsbury. He was an avid fan of the New England Patriots and the Boston Red Sox. He attended all of his grandchildren’s sporting events. Skip especially loved family gatherings and celebrating holidays with family and friends. He loved Bev’s chocolate cream pie, a recipe that been handed down from his grandmother.

Skip is survived by his loving wife, Beverly Williams of West Gardiner; a daughter, Lori and her husband Bill Pelletier of West Gardiner; two grandchildren, Russell “Russ” Pelletier and wife Kaitlyn Turmelle of West Gardiner, Rebecca and Caleb Ross of Arizona; five great grandchildren, Sydney, Raelynn, Oakleigh and Sawyer Ross of Arizona and Brady Pelletier of West Gardiner; two brothers, Steve and Cathy Williams of Augusta, Carl and Michelle Williams of California; many nieces and nephews; and his faithful companion Chloe the Beagle.

A graveside service will be held in the spring at the Litchfield Plains Cemetery, Litchfield. Arrangements and guidance are in the care of Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website http://www.StaplesFuneralHome.com.