Ronald King Williams Sr.

Ronald King Williams Sr., known as Ron/Ronnie, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on August 15, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Ron was born on September 3, 1942, in Washington, D.C., to the late Edward Williams Sr. and Helen Sanford Williams. He moved with his parents to the Philadelphia area, where he was raised alongside his four siblings in a deeply rooted Christian home. Ron graduated from Frankford High School in 1960.

Ron began his career as a teen, working in his father’s fish and produce store. In 1962, Ron served as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service. Around the same time, he earned his real estate license and worked as a residential Realtor for Herman C. Idler Real Estate on Frankford Avenue in Philadelphia.

In 1970, Ron became a clerk at Penn Fruit Supermarket on Frankford Avenue and Pratt Street in Philadelphia. There he built a neighborhood grocery delivery service that quickly earned him widespread recognition and affection throughout the community – it was often said that everyone knew Ron Williams. He rose steadily through the ranks, eventually becoming the store Manager.

Ron went on to join Acme Markets, where his leadership, integrity, and business acumen set him apart. He earned a reputation as a gifted troubleshooter, known for turning around struggling stores, delivering improved profits, and building strong teams capable of sustaining that success. Ron was later promoted to a District Manager position overseeing several regions, and left every store he touched stronger for it. Along the way, he built lifelong friendships with colleagues who became like family to him.

Ron retired from Acme Markets in 2008, only to be quickly recruited by a former colleague to join Winn-Dixie in Florida. There, he continued his record of successful turnarounds throughout the bi-state coastal region of northeast Florida and southeast Georgia. He retired fully in 2011, at the age of 69, and returned to the Philadelphia area.

In 1964, Ron married the late Maria Truitt, and together they raised four children: Maria, Venice, Ron Jr., and Michael. In 1987, he married Rosemary Ovelman, with whom he had two children, Alisha and Alexandra. In 2011, Ron married Gail (Marr) Williams and warmly embraced her family as his own, including David, Samantha, Caitlin, and Daniel. He settled in Upper Bucks County, where he resided for the remainder of his life.

Ron was the type of person you never forgot once you met him. With his thick black mustache, bright white smile, and the familiar scent of Polo Green cologne, he had a presence all his own. He was rarely without a collared polo shirt and, no matter the time or day, you could count on finding a handkerchief, cherry ChapStick, and a Starlight peppermint tucked in his pocket.

Most importantly, Ron was a family man. Anyone who knew him knew that his children were his greatest accomplishments. He was a devoted father and husband who valued God and family above all else. He cherished spending time at his home in the Pocono Mountains. His favorite hobbies were fishing, traveling, camping, attending concerts, and spending time outdoors. Ron also enjoyed experiencing Philadelphia sporting events firsthand, whether at home or away.

During his later years, Ron fully embraced his faith in God. While in Florida, working at Wynn Dixie, Ron was both a financial and spiritual contributor to the growth of a newly formed church in Fernandina Beach, "Journey Church". When Ron returned to Pennsylvania, he and Gail attended Calvary Church regularly, and he took part in many activities to be God’s hands and feet throughout the region. He volunteered at the summer outreach event for children and families in the Kensington area of Philadelphia; he contributed to the Christmas toy drives, and even cooked and stayed overnight at a local Hope House for homeless mothers trying to get back on their feet. Ron's faith in Jesus was never shaken, despite his battling the disease of Alzheimer's in his final years.

Ron was known for the wisdom and humor he shared often and freely. “Make it happen” and “Whatever it takes” were his personal mottos, alongside favorite sayings like “Don’t judge anyone by yourself,” “It’s better than the alternative” (his good-natured response to anyone complaining about a birthday), “Can’t means you won’t,” and “Never let ‘em see you sweat.”

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Williams, Sr. and Helen Sanford Williams.

He is survived by his wife, Gail Marr Williams; his six children, Maria DeMarco (David), Venice Condran (Martin), Ron Williams, Jr. (Michelle), Michael Williams (Jill), Alisha Mansfield (Colin), and Alexandra Tangir (Cory); his 14 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and 2 grand-puppies; his siblings, Edward Williams, Jr., Venice Williams, Helen Williams, and Patricia Williams, along with his many nieces and nephews, who adored him; and his extended family, including David Marr, Samantha Bogdan (Doug), Caitlin Marr, Daniel Marr, and four step-grandchildren.

Ron will be remembered as a devoted family man, a Christ follower, a natural-born leader, and a friend to everyone he met. His warmth, work ethic, and generous spirit touched the lives of all who knew him, and his memory will continue to live on through the family he loved so deeply.

A Celebration of Life Service will be at Calvary Church, 820 PA-113, Souderton, PA 18964, Thursday, August 20th, 2026, at 10:00am.

In addition to flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, in Ron’s honor.