Williams, Gerald Lynn ‘Jerry’
Gerald Lynn (Jerry) Williams, 82, passed away on October 11, 2022 after a
16-month battle with myasthenia gravis, a rare neurological disease. He continued to surprise medical staff and caregivers with his tenacity of spirit and will to live. In the last week of life he contracted COVID and passed away peacefully with his wife of 55 years and his children by his bedside.
Stories of Jerry-isms have provided his family with comfort and laughter throughout these challenging months.
Jerry’s car could never pass a garage sale, finding treasures in others’ trash. He invented the side hustle before it was a thing and often recruited his unwitting family to join him. His children remember one particular Christmas when he pulled over and purchased an entire truckload of wreaths at a discount and immediately sent his children out in the neighborhood to sell them door to door at a profit that the kids kept. His children credit his schemes with instilling in them a strong work ethic, a fearlessness to fail and an inability to quit.
Professionally, Jerry brought these traits to Tumpeer Chemical Company and Tumpeer Manufacturing of which he was President and CEO. Deeply invested in his chosen field, he was honored to serve as president with both the Chicago Rubber Group and the Wisconsin Rubber Group. Nationally, he was recognized for his 50+ years of affiliation with Manufacturers Agents National Association (MANA), his 25+ years of service by C.W. Brabender Instruments, Inc., a certificate of service from the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society and with the Queens’ Award for Enterprise for international trade.
Jerry loved his college fiercely and lobbied tirelessly for his children and/or grandchildren to attend Muskingum University. His daughter accompanied him to campus when he spoke to chemistry students and received the distinguished alumni award for chemistry. Jerry earned an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh.
A long suffering Chicago sports fan, Jerry cheered on his Bears and Cubbies with equal fervor and volume whether from the stadium or from his family room chair. He was active as a youth soccer coach with Palatine Park District and a Scout leader with Pack 335 (Palatine). An Eagle Scout with palms, he was immensely proud when his son earned the same honor. Jerry regularly volunteered with Pads Homeless Shelter.
An avid golfer, Jerry considered a day on the links with friends a day well spent. He golfed four times the weekend before his unexpected illness. His years in leagues at Palatine Hills Golf Course and Makray Memorial Golf Club resulted in many dear friends who his family hopes he’s playing with in heaven. His foursome traveled to Florida for the Bonita Springs Open, an excuse he concocted for a trip with friends. A part-time resident of Bonita Springs, Jerry loved to help the local economy by trying new restaurants. He loved enjoying a meal with his wife by the water, a perfect Rob Roy in hand.
Jerry traveled extensively with his wife Wendy and loved to share stories of their adventures from riding camels in the shadow of the pyramids in Egypt to seeing fields of tulips in Amsterdam. Jerry is survived by his wife Wendy, son Michael
Williams, daughters Ashley (Charles) Ellis and Carolyn (Daniel) English. He proudly bragged about his five grandsons to anyone with ears; Ian, Phinneas, and Angus Ellis; Benjamin and Tommy Williams. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents James (Jane) Williams and Coletta Burger, sister Donna Stiles and countless friends.
The family would like to say thank you to the hundreds of neighbors, friends, nurses, therapists,
doctors and specialists that helped care for Jerry during his illness. Their kindness was appreciated.
A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, November 19th at 1pm at All Saints Lutheran Church (630 Quentin Road, Palatine) where Jerry and his family were founding members. A reception will immediately follow at Makray Memorial Golf Club (1010 S. Northwest Hwy, Barrington).