Palmer Funeral Home-Welsheimer Chapel
http://www.welsheimers.com
Wes Williams passed away peacefully at home, surrounded in loving care by his wife and children, on November 8, 2022. Wes's death came after a valiant two and a half year long fight against Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He also fought, and achieved full remission, from a Lymphoma diagnosis in 2015. Wes's strength and determination to battle such difficult illnesses was inspiring and demonstrated how much he loved his life and everyone in it.
Wes is survived by his wife Marsha; daughter Natalie (Chad) Welwood, of Waunakee, WI; son Paul Williams, of Lockport, IL; and grandchildren Vivian and Clark Welwood and Ethan Williams. Wes is also survived by sisters Cinda Williams, Paula (Jeff) Hansen, and Laura Williams, brother Bill Williams, and many other loving relatives.
Born Harry Wes Williams in Vincennes, IN, on March 3, 1950, to Paul Williams and Margaret (Hale) Williams. Wes graduated from Elgin High School in June 1968. Wes then went on to Purdue University, Krannert School, where he joined the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity and graduated in May 1973, Magna Cum Laude.
It was at Purdue where Wes met his wife-to-be, Marsha Fletter. Wes and Marsha married in Fort Wayne, IN on August 17, 1974. Wes often said that marrying Marsha was the best decision that he ever made.
After graduation from Purdue, in June 1973, Wes joined Crowe LLP (formerly Crowe, Chizek and Company), where he spent his entire forty-two-year career. During his time at Crowe, Wes rose to hold various key positions, including Audit Partner, Partner in Charge of Crowe's National Office, and member and Chair of Crowe's Board of Directors. Following his retirement from Crowe in March 2015, Wes and Marsha moved to Naples, FL which had been a favorite family vacation spot for decades.
During his illustrious career, Wes held many roles in professional organizations, including several committee memberships and chairs with the Indiana CPA Society, and he was the recipient of the Outstanding CPA in Public Practice Award. As a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Wes held several terms as Chair of the Professional Ethics Executive Committee, and member of the Joint Trial Board. He was a member of the International Federation of Accountants, and was on the Transnational Auditors Committee. With Crowe International, Wes was the Chair of the International Accounting and Audit Committee, and the recipient of the Crowe International Pinnacle Award.
Wes participated in a number of civic and social organizations. He was a member and golfer at Morris Park County Club, in South Bend, IN, where the buddy tournament was a favorite event, as well as a member and golfer at Imperial Golf Club, in Naples, FL. Wes was on the Board of Directors and Treasurer for WNIT Public Television, and he was volunteer and director at South Bend Youth Hockey, Inc. Wes was a member of the Purdue Club of St. Joseph Valley, where he acted as President, and he also sat on the Board of Directors for Memorial Hospital.
Wes's priority was always his wife, Marsha, as well as his children and grandchildren. Wes most loved and cherished his family, followed by his close and long-lasting friendships, many of which he enjoyed for forty plus years. Wes and Marsha's homes in Granger, IN and Naples, FL were shared for good times with family and friends, including many festive holiday celebrations.
Wes had a passion for golf and was always trying to improve his game with an appreciation for the technical and mental challenges it presented. But whatever the score, Wes enjoyed the company of the regular golf groups he played with, both in Indiana and Florida.
Wes and Marsha were fortunate to travel extensively, both domestically and internationally. The family enjoyed many trips that were awe-inspiring and educational. Highlights include hikes to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, wild animal observation on safari in South Africa, and bareboat sailing trips in the Grenadines, British Virgin Islands, and Lake Michigan.
Wes was a lifelong learner and teacher. His teaching impacted his children, professionals that he trained in his firm, and audiences that attended his speaking events at national and international conferences. Wes instilled his values and ethics in his family and colleagues, and Wes's legacy will live on as those values and ethics continue to influence others.
Wes is preceded in death by father Paul Williams, mother Margaret Williams, father-in-law Phillip Fletter, and mother-in-law Mary Ann Fletter.
Wes's family would like to thank the many kind doctors and nurses who cared for him at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL, especially during his stem cell transplant in November 2020. Also appreciated is the care that Dr. Rafat Ansari with Michiana Hematology and Oncology provided to Wes for over a decade.
Wes's family would also like to thank Monsignor William Schooler who provided spiritual guidance and comfort to Wes. Larry and Kathy Walker, best friends since college, provided above and beyond companionship, especially during the last year of his life. Wes deeply felt all the love extended to him and wanted everyone who prayed for and supported him during his illness to know his gratitude, as he drew incredible strength from it.
Visitation will take place on Friday, November 11 from 3-6 p.m. at Palmer Funeral Home, Welsheimer Chapel-North, at 17033 Cleveland Road, South Bend, IN. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 12, with visitation one hour prior, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, at 52553 Fir Road, Granger, IN. Following the mass, burial will take place at Cedar Grove Cemetery at the University of Notre Dame.
Memorial gifts may be made to Logan Community Resources, Inc., 2505 E. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, IN 46615, or the charity of your choice. Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.palmerfuneralhomes.com
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