Dennis J. Williams

Dennis James Williams, 72, of Westerville, OH, passed away on March 16, 2024, 8 years, 3 months and 2 days after doctors diagnosed he would not live 2 weeks past December 15, 2015. What a miracle!

Dennis was born on November 4th, 1951, in Toledo, OH. He was raised by his father Thomas Williams, whom he loved dearly and his step mother Nancy Williams. After an illness causing a high fever at the age of 2, he became Deaf. His father kept him in the Toledo Public School District and he graduated from DeVilbiss High School 1971. He learned sign language from other Deaf who attended the school and from going to the Toledo Deaf Club.

Dennis did not allow his Deafness to stop him. One would believe it was more troubling for those who didn’t understand it. He was determined! He was a self taught mechanic who could sit in a car and tell you exactly what was wrong with it, and then fix it. His love for cars also inspired him to race at the Norwalk Speedway, where he would race his very own Chevy! He was also well known for being the “Back Yard Mechanic” and “Handy Man” in Oberlin, Ohio where he moved in 1974 shortly after the death of his father. The Lord knew sending him to Oberlin was just what he needed. Dennis obtained many jobs in the Lorain County area but one job that was orchestrated by God was working for Mr. Marvin Kolb, at the Texaco Gas Station. Mr. Kolb was not only his boss but became family. He graciously shared his space, time, and his family with Dennis, the father figure and the family that he needed after the loss of his father.

In 2015 Dennis became ill and moved to Columbus, Ohio with his daughter Kristaline. Doctors didn’t have much hope for Dennis to live. He was in pretty bad shape. Drugs and alcohol had controlled his life for some time and with the condition of his lungs, and heart there was no way he would live. However, change was coming! Through the prayers of many, the love, care and support of his baby girl, her mother, Delores, and many others he grew stronger and his health remained stable. He would attend church regularly with is daughter, the Harker, and Mollett families whom became very dear to him. He came to know Christ and was baptized after Bible Study on August 9, 2017, supported by those who helped shape his spiritual journey. He was faithful to attending services sometimes not feeling well but he pressed on. He was later filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost on March 17, 2019. Dennis loved going to church and was blessed to have full access with Sign Language interpreters. One of which was his daughter. You could see the joy on his face as she signed for him.

In fall of 2020 Dennis became well enough to move out on his own. He moved to a very special place in Westerville, OH, Columbus Colony Housing. CCH was established by the Ohio School for the Deaf Alumni Association and is a place for Deaf seniors to live independently and share a community with others who Identify with Deafness. Dennis was finally home! No longer did he have to figure out what was being said, try to lip read, or sit and watch others laugh while he sat silently. Communication was no loner a barrier but a freedom to converse with others and feel included. You would catch Dennis actively involved in all the events that took place at the colony especially Dingo-Deaf Bingo, and Bingo. He would frequent the vending machine rooms and the commissary store. He really loved being around all of the residents and took pride in where he lived. He was also able to witness his daughter go from volunteering there to becoming the manager. He made sure to let everyone know who his daughter was. He will be greatly missed by everyone who was blessed to come in contact with such a miracle.

Dennis is proceeded in death by his father, Thomas Williams; stepmother, Nancy Williams; sister Sally Cox; and bonus father, Marvin Kolb.

Dennis leaves to cherish his memories, his brother Phillip Williams, 3 sons, Terrence Williams of Lorain, OH, Timothy (Amanda) Williams of Cleveland OH, and Kyle (Megan) Williams of Cincinnati, OH, and 1 soon to be son-in-love, Dana Carter to marry his one and only daughter, Kristaline Williams in August 2024; bonus daughters, Milagros Hernandez Ayala and Ginette Pettyjohn; grandchildren, Terrance Williams Jr., Brandon Williams, Desiree Williams, Zobeyda (Shawndell) Partin, Jade Williams, Destiny Williams, Sade’ Williams, Elijah Williams, Timothy Williams Jr., Ethan Williams; bonus grandchildren, Sarah, Savannah, Shayne, and Seth Harker, and 9 beautiful great grandchildren.

Visitation 5-7:00pm Thursday, April 11, 2024 at MARLAN GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE EAST, 5456 E. Livingston Ave.

Visitation 9:00am and Funeral 10:00am Saturday, April 13, 2024 at True Praise and Deliverance Ministries, 12354 Leavitt Rd, Oberlin, OH 44074