Gerald Borkin Williams
Gerald Williams Obituary
Gerald Borkin Williams
February 3, 1962 - December 15, 2020
Gerald “Jerry” Williams, 57, of South Windsor, passed away due to post-COVID heart failure on Tuesday, December 15, 2020. He was the son of Leroy and Helen Ligon Williams. Leroy succumbed to COVID related illness on Sunday, December 20, 2020.
As a child, Jerry was inseparable from his two older sisters, Sheryl and Gwen. The family wondered for a long time if Jerry would ever learn to talk since Gwen would always speak for him! When siblings Greg and Roy came along, Jerry became the eldest brother, but he was still Gwen’s #1 little brother.
“Husky” as a kid throughout elementary school and Junior High, we believe Jerry was inspired by Mom’s various exercise programs including Jack LaLane, and during his teen years, he discovered bodybuilding. This led to him conditioning, training, and making it onto the football team. In his youth, he enjoyedworking on restoring his 1967 classic Mustang (Pony edition) and working on cars.
Jerry was a graduate of South Windsor High School, class of 1982, where he was co-captain of the football team. He attended Hartford State Technical College specializing in CNC Machining and held many interesting jobs, including school bus driver and CNC machinist. Jerry became vegetarian over 20 years ago after driving trucks for Waybest Chicken; he tried his best to get the rest of us to become vegetarian also.
Jerry was a great storyteller, magician, and comedian. We can hear him saying “Oh gee, oh my goodness,” and then laughing as he was just about to walk down the double-wide staircase escorting Sheryl at Gwen’s wedding reception. He said “I always figured that out of the five kids, one of us would have to be crazy. I always thought it was going to be me!” Jerry would not join any group or organization that would have him as a member.
Jerry was a dreamer and had an entrepreneurial spirit. He always had a plan to create or build his next project into existence. He enjoyed working with his hands and he was proud of his ‘do it yourself ‘ attitude and his ability to solve and fix problems. He enjoyed working with leather, making belts, key chains and wristbands, and researching the indigenous people. He used to always tell us, ”we are Moors we are not from Africa.” He alsoloved sci-fi, action and adventure movies.
Jerry enjoyed working out, hiking, cycling, and lifting weights throughout most of his life. As he got older he turned towards a lower impact fitness regime of yoga, the Five Tibetan Rites and swimming almost daily. He once even saved a man from drowning while he was doing a morning workout!
After marrying Lawanda Williams, Jerry became a father for the first time and together they raised Raymond and his stepdaughter, Pauline, throughout their school years. He and Lawanda eventually separated. Jerry was a strong advocate of entrepreneurship and encouraged his son, Raymond, never to work for anyone else. Jerry was so proud and admired Raymond for his dedication to his chosen craft and for starting a successful business as a tattoo artist.
Twenty years later, Jerry met Syretta White, his partner for the last ten years. They had three boys together, Rahsaan, Darrius and Jullian. He was a loving father and worked hard to raise hissons, who were his pride and joy. Jerry loved spending time with his sons on the weekends, taking them swimming, berry or apple picking, hiking, camping in the yard, making various art projects or having fish frys. Jerry was devoted to his family. He helped take his mother and father to medical appointments and sacrificed his life to take care of his Dad. Jerry was a gentle giant, kind, loving and easy going. He would give the shirt off his back to help someone in need. Gone too soon.
Jerry is survived by his mother, Helen Ligon Williams; sisters, Sheryl Williams and Gwendolyn Williams Satchell (Morris), and brothers Roy Williams (Amy), and Gregory Williams; and four sons Raymond Williams, Rahsaan Williams, Darrius White and Jullian White. He is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins in Connecticut, South Carolina, Ohio, Georgia, and New York who will miss him dearly.
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