FREEPORT — Ralph A. Williams, Jr., 67, of Freeport, died Tuesday February 12, 2013 at Maine Medical Center in Portland after a period of declining health. He was born on May 2, 1945 in Freedom, a son of Myrtie (Curtis) and Ralph A. Williams, Sr. The family settled in Freeport when Ralph was starting the fourth grade.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army and after 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. After retiring from Eastland he became a custodian at the Freeport YMCA for ten years before health issues forced him to retire.

Ralph enjoyed the outdoors, be it hunting, fishing, or camping and in later years, simply sitting out on the deck reading the morning paper with a cup of coffee. It was not unusual for some of the wildlife, chickadees, squirrels and chipmunks to feed from his hand. Ralph enjoyed listening to “older” country/western music, playing cards and computer games. He was an avid reader of westerns, mysteries and nonfiction, mostly of Maine. He will be remembered for being a jokester — where if you knew Ralph and he knew you — you would be “fair game” — and he would travels miles to play a joke. He will be remembered for his love of Mary.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 44 years,

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. Ralph was predeceased by his son Richard Williams (1996) and his sister Laurel Elwell (2008).

There will be a graveside service at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Freedom on Thursday, May 2, 2013 at 11:00 AM. A reception will follow. Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to view a video collage of Ralph’s life and to share your condolences, memories and tributes with his family.