Michael Williams

Michael Stephen Williams, 59, of Clemmons, passed away on April 20, 2021 at his home.

Michael was born on November 3, 1961 in Pensacola, Florida, the son of Ronald Eugene and Margaret Sue Wood Williams. He graduated from West Forsyth High School, Randolph Technical Community College, and High Point University. He was a graphic artist in his early career and later worked with his father in the family business, owning two Tinderbox stores. He experienced a call to the ministry and attended Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, but felt led to bring people to Christ by precept and example, living a life of faithfulness, rather than as a minister. He completed his education with a BA in History, which remained one of his life’s passions. He used his expertise with tobacco products in his last years working as a Territory Sales Manager for Swedish Match, North America.

Michael’s life revolved around his family and he never missed an opportunity to make them feel adored. He was a devoted and very loving father, active with his sons Eric and John serving The Boy Scouts of America as Scoutmaster, Northwest Forsyth Little League as Coach and President, and very involved with their soccer, baseball, recreational hockey, and gaming interests. He took every chance to create adventures with his sons to experience music, movies, fishing, and gardening. He and his wife Laurie enjoyed time together at concerts of all genres of music, cooking classes, beer and scotch tasting classes, minor league hockey games, and together they became serious fans of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes. Michael was the kind of man who would take homeless people to lunch, share hilarious social media memes with friends in need of cheering, and stand in the cold rain if it meant someone else didn’t have to. He was an artistic, creative, kind, empathic, passionate gentleman who cared deeply for all people and took full advantage of any opportunity to talk to anyone he met about his faith and occasionally his politics. He loved truth, loved his family, and loved God.

Michael was predeceased by his Father-in-Law, Denver Hartford Lennon, Jr. of Greensboro. Michael is survived by his high-school sweetheart, best friend, and wife of 33 years, Laurie Lennon Williams; sons Eric Michael Williams and John Stephen Williams of Clemmons; parents, Ronald Eugene and Margaret Sue Wood Williams of Pfafftown; sister Rhonda Williams Murray (Jay) of Monroe; mother-in-law Joan Paisley Lennon of Asheville; step-mother-in-law Laura Gaither Lennon of Greensboro: sister-in-law Kelly Lennon Belcher (Philip) of Asheville; brother-in-law David Michael Lennon (Laura) of Raleigh; nieces and nephews Owen Hartford Belcher (Olga) of Kansas City; Kera Paisley Belcher of Charlotte; Houston Jacob Hawfield of Monroe; Hannah Grace Murray of Monroe; Jack Hartford Lennon and Josie Olivia Lennon of Raleigh.

A private service is planned through Hayworth-Miller of Lewisville at Westlawn Memorial Gardens in the coming days. A celebration of life event will be held in early summer to include those unable to attend due to current restrictions.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Clemmons Food Pantry, Habitat for Humanity, The Make-a-Wish Foundation, or a church/mission program of your choosing.