Thomas E. Williams, 80, of Rockford, Ohio, died at 3:46 p.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2017, at St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima, Ohio, where he had been a patient.

He was born in Rockford on June 29, 1936, to Maurice and La Verne (Lawrence) Williams.

He was a graduate of Rockford High School and a U.S. Army veteran.

On August 9, 1959, he married Pat Fry-singer, and she preceded in death on April 4, 2008.

Tom worked at Reynolds & Reynolds in Celina, Ohio, for 43 years, retiring in 2002. He had lived in the Rockford area all his life, and was Rockford's Citizen of the Year in 2003. He was a member of the Rockford Fire Department from 1965-2016, and was honored by the fire department and community for 50 years of service with the fire department; he also served as the Assistant Chief for a period of time.

He was a member of the Rockford United Methodist Church, and a choir member there, and also served as the custodian at the former First United Methodist Church, now the Rockford United Methodist Church.

He had served on the Rockford Police Department, and was a charter member of both the Rockford EMS and the Rockford Shanes Crossing Historical Society. He was a member of the Rockford Tree Committee and of the Rockford Lions Club.

Tom had been working at Lee's Ace Hardware in Van Wert, Ohio.

Surviving are one son, Todd (Jill) Williams, one daughter, Darla (Marvin) Hammitt, and one grand daughter, Amy Bruce, all of Rockford. Three brothers and three sisters also survive: Maurice Lee Williams, Rockford, Ohio; William (Barbara) Williams, Mendon, Ohio; Larry (Karen) Williams, St. Marys, Ohio; Patty Raudabaugh, Van Wert, Ohio; Nancy (Larry) Florence, Coldwater, Ohio; and Arlene Reilly, Van Wert, Ohio.

Deceased are four brothers: Jack, Don, Robert Eugene, and John Williams, and four sisters: Joan Williams, Phyllis Stover, Mary Lou Caywood, and Norma Jean Williams.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 2, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at New Horizons Community Church in Rockford with Pastor Chip Steffy officiating, assisted by Pastor Dave Souers. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Rockford.

Friends may call at New Horizons Community Church, St. Rte. 118, South of Rockford, from 2-8 pm on Wednesday, and one hour prior to the service on Thursday. There will be a service at 7:00 pm on Wednesday provided by the Mercer County Color Guard, who will also have graveside honors on Thursday.

Memorials may be directed to the Rockford Fire Department.

Condolences may be expressed at ketchamripley.com.