Don Williams

MCHENRY – Don Williams, 78, of McHenry passed away February 11th, 2026 at his home. He was born in McHenry on February 18th, 1947 to the late Frank Edward and Nina Mae James Williams.

Don was an educator. He began his education at Central Park Elementary in McHenry, then Beaver Dam Jr. High and Beaver Dam High School where he graduated in 1965. He received his B.S. in Education from the University of Tennessee Martin in 1969 where he also played basketball. He furthered his education at Western Kentucky University where he obtained his Masters in Education in 1979 and his Rank I School Administration in 1982. His first job in 1959 was helping Pete Leach survey boundary disputes and right-of-way. In 1961 he worked at Vellers IGA in Beaver Dam. Then from 1962-1965 his dad had a 1250 gallon tank that they used to deliver water to homes. From 1965 until 1966, he worked for Young Manufacturing Co. in the summers. Mr. C.T. Young said he would only hire him if he agreed to attend college. Mr. Young was a wealthy but generous person. He insisted that he train for a good career, and for that Don said, “Thank you, Sir.” In the summer of 1967 he worked for the State Highway Department Engineers Office. From 1968 through 1980 he spent the summer and Saturdays working at Mohamp Gulf. Also in 1968 and 1969 Coach Burdette Floyd at University of Tennessee Martin hired him to teach Freshman P.E. along with Assistant Coach Vince Vaughn. In 1969 he became a teacher at Centertown School where he also coached football and basketball. Then in 1970 he went to Beaver Dam Jr. High and coached there as well. From 1971 until 1974 he taught at Ohio County Middle School and coached basketball and baseball at Ohio County High School. From 1975 until 1979 he taught social studies at Ohio County High School and was Assistant Basketball Coach. In 1982 he became the Head Coach. From 1982 until 2003 he served as Principal of Beaver Dam Elementary. During his time there, he was instrumental in coordinating the Jr. Pro Basketball Program that began in 1983. In 2004 he stepped into the role of Assistant Principal for Beaver Dam Elementary until 2010 when he retired. He spent the next 10 years working as a Customer Care Specialist at Rice Drugs. He said he had many people to thank for helping him get an education and provide for his family, however Cynthia was his driving force……she wanted to marry a basketball coach.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his parents-in-law, Marvin Horace and Dorthy Dalton Minton Martin; son-in-law, Robert Lloyd Schneider; brother, Kenneth Frank Williams; and brother-in-law, Tony Ashburn.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 59 years, Cynthia Martin Williams; children, Kim Schneider, Ginger (Brian) Tichenor and Kathryn (Shawn) Boone; grandchildren, Sara Beth Rearden, Ross Tichenor (Sarah States), James Grant Tichenor, Zoe Boone, Knox Boone and Molly E. Schneider; great-grandchildren, Stella and Liam Rearden; and siblings-in-law, Nancy Williams, Jeff (Lisa) Martin, Sheila Ashburn, and Mary Jane (Doran) Johnson; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, February 15th, 2026 at 4:00 PM at Beaver Dam Elementary School Gymnasium with Jeff Martin, Dr. Mark Martin and Andrew Jones presiding. Friends may visit with the family from 12:00 PM until 4:00 PM at Beaver Dam Elementary School Gymnasium. The family asks that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to Hospice of Ohio County. Bevil Bros. Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online messages of condolence may be sent to bevilbrosfuneralhomes.com.