Former Portage mayor dies at age 84

PORTAGE | John P. Williams devoted his life to serving the people of his hometown.

The former teacher, township trustee, mayor and school board member died Monday afternoon. He was 84.

"He cared more about other people than he did about himself," said his nephew John C. Williams, adding his uncle had a passion for people and always tried to do the best for his community.

He also had a passion for family, he said, adding he and his wife, Polly, never had children but helped raise several nieces and nephews. Polly Williams died a few years ago.

"He was like a second father to me," John C. Williams said.

"He was a man that believed in doing things right and he stood up for what he believed was right," added his great-nephew, Troy Williams.

Williams graduated from Portage High School in 1945 after serving with the U.S. Army Air Corps.  After graduating from college, Williams taught fourth grade at Saylor Elementary School; sixth, seventh and eighth grades at Willowcreek Middle School; 10th grade at Portage High School and 12th grade at Gary's Emerson High School.

Williams served as the Portage Township Trustee. As trustee he was instrumental in developing the county's ambulance service, building the Bonner Senior Center and created Wolfe Park in Portage and Haven Hollow Park in South Haven.

"People don't realize he started the ambulance service in Porter County," said John C. Williams, adding his uncle devised the plan for funding of the first service in the county at a time when ambulances were operated by local funeral homes.

Williams served as the city's third mayor from 1980 to 1984.

"Without Mayor John Williams' leadership and vision, it would have been impossible for the City of Portage to grow and become the great city it is today. His administration oversaw the construction of the Portage Wastewater Treatment Facility, which, at that time, moved Portage to a new level of potential and growth," Portage Mayor James Snyder said in a statement about Williams.

He then went on to serving three terms on the Portage Township School Board.

Williams remained active in the city's political world, working on local campaigns and writing letters to the editor about issues involving the city. He was a 50-year member of the Portage American Legion Post 260.

Visitation will be held from noon to 8 p.m. today at Pruzin Funeral Home, 2700 Willowcreek Road. The American Legion will hold a special service at 7 p.m. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home with burial at Calvary Cemetery.