FREEPORT — Ralph “Ralphie Jr.” Williams, 67, of Freeport, died Feb. 12 at Maine Medical Center in Portland. 

He was born May 2, 1945, in Freedom to Myrtie and Ralph A. Williams Sr. The family settled in Freeport when Williams was in fourth grade. 

Williams enlisted in the U.S. Army and after his discharge returned to Freeport where he began a 38-year career with Eastland Shoe. It was there he met the love of his life and soul mate, Mary Small. They were married for 44 years.

After retiring from Eastland he became a custodian at the Freeport YMCA for 10 years before health issues forced him to retire.

Williams loved the outdoors, be it hunting, fishing, or camping. In later years, he loved simply sitting out on his deck with a cup of coffee, reading the morning paper. It was not unusual for some of the wildlife, such as chickadees, squirrels and chipmunks, to feed from his hand. He enjoyed listening to older country/western music and playing cards and computer games. He will was a prankster and would travel miles to play a joke on someone.

Williams was survived by his wife, Mary Williams, of Freeport; his brother, John Williams, of Freeport; his sister, Hazel Rumney, and her husband, Ernest, of Thorndike; his cousin, Virgilene Leet, of Greene, and a large extended family. He was predeceased by his son, Richard Williams, who died in 1996, and his sister, Laurel Elwell, who died in 2008.

There will be a graveside service at Pleasant Hill Cemetery at 11 a.m. May 2 in Freedom, with a reception to follow.

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