Jeffrey John Williams

Jeffrey John Williams, 54, breathed his last breath on earth and his first in heaven on Thursday, July 18, 2019. He lived loving intense, intimate relationships and accelerating toward each hill in front of him (on his bike and in his work), and now he lives within an unlimited relationship with the Trinity to whom he entrusted his heart. He spends much of his time in heaven as he did on earth: Asking Jesus intimate questions and getting immediate (and often hilarious) answers. For 30 years, Jeff worked as a counselor, therapist, coach, and trainer, empowering hundreds of individuals through his passionate belief in who they could become. Jeff and his wife Jill were pioneers in the model of Marriage Coaching and founded three organizations: Great Relationships, an international ministry dedicated to training leaders in coaching, Grace & Truth Relationship Education, and Marriage Resource Center of Miami Valley, a marriage initiative that has impacted several Ohio counties. For a season, Jeff helped other communities in the U.S. develop community marriage policies and initiatives. More recently Jeff became a trainer for Leadership Metaformation, helping people live, lead and coach from the heart. Jeff was a writer and the author of several books, curriculum, articles, and devotionals. He was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Damascus, Maryland and member and choral director for the Waterboyz for Jesus ministry. Jeff’s love for people came out in his fierce commitment and unflagging encouragement to friends, his relentless pursuit to be the best husband and father, and his joy in being with his wife, family, and grandchildren. He always had time to talk to the server, barista, store clerk or whoever he just met on the street. Jeff weathered the deep heartaches of life (including the ones he caused) by learning humility as he met God within the pain and came out on the other side with new resolve to create a positive impact with his life. In his final years, Jeff passionately and vulnerably ministered out of his own personal transformation. Born and raised in Springfield, Ohio Jeff enjoyed the gift of music, baseball, golf and the outdoors imparted from his father. He participated in numerous other sports, and then football at Hanover College in Indiana. Jeff’s love of sports, belief in quality training and discipline helped him successfully coach many youth soccer, baseball and football teams during the 1990s. Becoming proficient in racquetball, golf, road and mountain biking, Jeff mastered every sport he engaged in. In the weeks before his death, Jeff’s newest pursuit was swimming. His favorite moments in life were those spent hiking the mountains with his wife. Jeff enjoyed 33 years of marriage to his wife, Jill A. Williams, his best friend and companion, in a relationship that was even more precious to him at the end than at the beginning. Surviving is his wife, 3 children: Joshua Williams and Brooke, Carly Williams-Gudenius and Eric Jr., and Laura Williams; 4 grandchildren: GabbyAnne, Skylar, Jovie and Miles. He is also survived by his sister Julie Hyland and Dan. Jeff loved to tickle his grandchildren, go snack-hunting, take walks, play, and talk to them about God. He never took this time with his family for granted. Jeff’s legacy lives on in many family members and friends, too numerous to list, but not forgotten. Jeff has been reunited with his parents in heaven, John W. Williams and Patricia R. Williams. A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, July 27, 2019, at the Redeemer Lutheran Church, 27015 Ridge Road, Damascus, MD 20872. Arrangements are with the Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, Frederick. In place of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Great Relationships (mailed to Keeney and Basford Funeral Home P.A., Attention Jill Williams), the God-birthed non-profit ministry that Jeff loved. A scholarship is being developed in his name.