1947 – 2016

AUBURN — Steven J. Williams, 68, of Auburn passed away Monday, Sept. 12, at his home with his family by his side after a brave and courageous battle with melanoma.

He was born in Skowhegan on Dec. 4, 1947, a son of the late Maxwell and Bertha (Ferry) Williams. He grew up in the local area and attended school there. After graduating from Madison High School in 1966, he attended the University of Maine at Farmington where he was an outstanding basketball player. He won many awards and held several records there. He was also named a Small College All-American.

In 1970, he married Janet Goodchild, the girl next door, and they started a family together. Shortly after, in 1971, Steve was drafted and went overseas to fight for his country during the Vietnam conflict.

Steve was director of Hoop Camp in Casco during the summer from 1989-2004, a job he loved because it kept him in the game of basketball and close to the numerous friends he had made during his career. In 2000, he was inducted into the University of Maine at Farmington Hall of Fame.

Steve was a devoted middle school teacher for 35 years. He began his career at Poland Community School, then went to Central School in Auburn which became Auburn Middle School. While at AMS he was a team leader for grade seven and instrumental in piloting the Apple laptop initiative for the state of Maine. He and his wife, Jan, decided to end their teaching careers at the international level at Seoul International School in Seoul, South Korea. They made many friends and traveled extensively throughout Asia, Australia and Europe.

Steve will always be remembered for his love of home and “puttering around the house,” whether it was inside or outside. He also enjoyed listening to many various genres of music, but especially the Rolling Stones. He enjoyed world traveling, exercising and staying fit, fishing, watching the Red Sox and Patriots play, spending time with friends while playing cards, reading many books, especially espionage novels, doing his best at golf and his snowmobiling trips up north with his buddies. Another passion of his was officiating, where he dedicated 25 years to the sports of soccer and basketball, including many state final matchups.

Steve loved life and he loved family and will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his loving wife, Janet Williams of Auburn; his children, Chris Williams and his wife, Kirsty, of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Rebecca Pelletier and her husband, James, of Raymond. He also leaves behind three grandchildren, Charlotte Williams and Gavin and Madelyn Pelletier; a brother, Richard Williams of Colorado; and several nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice for the devoted care and compassion they showed Steve during their time with him.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.