John Edwin Williams, 61, of Oak Park, formerly of Aurora, a musician and teacher, died of unknown causes Monday, May 13, in Oak Park Hospital. Mr. Williams spent much of his childhood in Aurora and graduated from Aurora West High School in 1959. While in high school, he was selected to play his violin with the Chicago Youth Symphony and to perform in Orchestra Hall. “That was quite an honor for him and a real thrill for someone his age,” said his wife, Jane Chenier-Williams. Mr. Williams received a bachelor’s degree in music from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago in 1964 and a master’s degree from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb in 1967. For the last two years, he was employed by the District 89 Board of Education for schools in Maywood and Melrose Park, where he taught general music in kindergarten through 6th grade. Mr. Williams began his teaching career at West Aurora High School, and also taught orchestra and instrumental music in elementary, middle and high schools in Batavia from 1967 to 1986. He then left teaching to pursue his interest in computer technology and became a systems administrator for the National Easter Seals Society in Chicago and later with Tecsyc in Schaumburg. “He loved children and was so happy to return to the classroom,” said his wife. “He enjoyed working with computers for the time he did, but teaching was always his first love.” Mr. Williams played violin and viola with the DuPage Symphony and the Fox Valley Symphony, and previously directed the choir of 4th Street Methodist Church in Aurora. He also directed other choirs in the Fox Valley area. Other survivors include his mother, Lucille; a sister, Jacqueline Ruhl; and two brothers, Kenneth and Harold. Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Neighborhood Church of the Brethren, 155 Boulder Hill Pass, Montgomery.
