World War II Navy veteran and Pearl Harbor survivor John Williams (front left) celebrates his 105th birthday with Allen Park Mayor Gail McLeod, Visiting Angels representatives Robert Johnson, Jean Miller, Alexis Mullinax and Heidi Lesko, and Frank Roche from the Frank Wendland American Legion Post 253 of Royal Oak Feb. 27 at Maple Heights Retirement Community in Allen Park.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
ALLEN PARK – World War II Navy veteran John Williams, who witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor, celebrated his 105th birthday Feb. 27 at Maple Heights senior living community with well-wishers.
When he was in the Navy, he was serving as a cook on the island of Oahu the morning of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, which launched the United States into World War II.
World War II Navy veteran and Pearl Harbor survivor John Williams (left) celebrates his 105th birthday Feb. 27 at Maple Heights Retirement Community in Allen Park.
In addition to staff and residents, attendees included his niece and caretaker Vanessa Morgan of Southgate, Allen Park Mayor Gail McLeod, employees from Visiting Angels home care providers, and Frank Roche from the American Legion Frank Wendland Post 253 in Royal Oak.
Maple Heights enrichment coordinator April Russell said they are blessed to have Williams as part of their community.
“We absolutely just love him and he’s just such a wonderful man,” she said. “This is a man who has been through Pearl Harbor, World War II, and the sacrifices that he made all those years ago are the reason why we are here.”
Robert Johnson, the owner of Visiting Angels of Dearborn, said Williams is a wonderful human being who has served his country and community well.
“As a Marine Corps veteran, I’m honored to be present,” he said. “John served in the United States Navy, and I’m honored and blessed to be here, and there is a lot of love in this room here, John, so I just want you to know that you are an awesome person and we highly respect you.”
McLeod, who said Williams was recognized at the Feb. 17 City Council meeting, wished him a happy birthday on behalf of the city’s elected officials.
“I look forward to coming back again next year and doing this, along with your other fellow centenarians,” she said. “It must be the water here, or the food, or the help or the staff, but congratulations, it’s great to see you again, and keep taking care of yourself.”
Visiting Angels caregiver Kim Ailes said she adores Williams and has what feels like a friendship with him.
“We have breakfast together, and I take care of some of his personal needs and all,” she said. “And we pray together.”
Ailes said Visiting Angels provides added support in addition to what seniors receive from their family, and it gives them a chance to bond.
World War II Navy veteran and Pearl Harbor survivor John Williams (right) celebrates his 105th birthday with his niece and caretaker Vanessa Morgan Feb. 27 at Maple Heights Retirement Community in Allen Park.
Williams said he has had “a pretty good life.”
“The Lord has blessed me most of my life,” he said. “Thank God for that.”
He said he was on shore during the attack on Pearl Harbor, and he remembers “a loud boom” that was different, since it was a Sunday.
“The Japanese came over and did it, and made so much noise, and I guess it scared everybody,” Williams said. “Thank God that I’m alive. I could have been in one of the hit places.”
He said he wasn’t able to immediately contact his family to let them know that he was OK.
His niece said Williams’ personality is laid back and quiet.
Morgan said his advice to people was always to “do things right the first time so you don’t have to go back and do it a second time.”
Williams was born Feb. 27, 1921, in Emporia, Kansas, and he moved to Detroit with his family when he was 3 years old. The oldest of nine children, he has one surviving sister, who is 15 years younger than him.
Williams has been widowed twice, and has outlived his two children. After his first wife died in California while pregnant with the couple’s third child, he moved back to Detroit with his two children, where he remarried. His second wife, who was 18 years younger than him, died eight years ago.
He has two granddaughters, four great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Williams worked for 34 years at Great Lakes Steel in Ecorse, and is a 68-year member of Whitlock Memorial Church of God in Christ in Detroit.
Allen Park Mayor Gail McLeod (right) congratulates World War II Navy veteran and Pearl Harbor survivor John Williams as he celebrates his 105th birthday Feb. 27 at Maple Heights Retirement Community in Allen Park.