Kenneth J. Williams, Jr.

HAVERHILL - Kenneth J. Williams, Jr., 94, of Haverhill, where he resided with his daughter since November of 2017, passed away peacefully while at home with family by his side on Saturday, May 23, 2020.

Kenny was born and brought up in Haverhill MA, with 3 brothers, Stan, Wayne and Jackie, along with his one baby sister Betty.

Just prior to his high school graduation from Merrimac High, where he met the love of his life Eleanor Urquhart, he joined the US Navy and served on the USS Dahlgren 187 in WWII.

Upon his return after the war, he married Eleanor, who was lovingly known by her friends as “Dutchie”. They built their own home in Merrimac in 1957, where they brought up their Son Mark Williams and daughter Melissa (Williams) Kimball.

Ken supported his family working as a lineman for Mass Electric for many years, until retirement at the Sportsman’s lodge in Newburyport, surrounded by a large crowd of friends, family and co-workers, who jokingly nicknamed  him “Dapper” who would tease him about how he could look as clean and sharp at the end of the work day, as when he started that morning. He bravely faced hurricane’s and thunderstorms to restore the local towns power when lost due to the weather. As he walked out the door each storm, he would always turn and say to his family, “make sure to turn the tv off and stay away from the windows, it’s not safe!”

Friends and family can attest to this handsome man’s love of Life, dancing with his wife and looking good, many times mistaken by strangers to be Kirk Douglas. Just ask his ex-son-in-law Michael Kimball, who lovingly remained in his life, giving him many boys nights out and lots of laughs, flirting with ladies who still thought Ken was Kirk….

He loved trips to the mountains with his wife and children to ski in the winter, to the family beach house in Hampton during the summers and many trips to the Grand Caymans and Marco Island with his wife, where he would walk the beach for miles every day, go snorkeling and parasailing, until they settled for winters in Fort Pierce, FL.. But most of all, Ken and Dutchie. who were married for 70 years prior to her passing in 2015 were especially known and will be remembered most by friends and family for their love of dancing! When Ken meets Dutchie in Heaven, their daughter finds comfort that they will dance again and can both be at peace together with God.

Ken is survived by his son Mark Williams and daughter in-law Connie of Fort Pierce, FL, his daughter Melissa (Williams) Kimball and partner Peter Aznoian of MA; grandchildren Jason Williams and wife Lebra of N. Carolina, Kate (Williams) and husband Gabe Rogers of NH, Stephanie (Kimball) and husband Richard Dean of NH and Christine (Kimball) and husband Christian Martel of Merrimac, MA; he also leaves 6 great-grandchildren Gabriel, Jack and Meadow Rogers, Kyle and Brody Dean and Aubrie Martel.

Special thanks to the friends and family who dedicated their time and  helped to improve Ken’s quality of life over the last few years of his life, Christine Martel, Peter Aznoian, Michael Kimball, Rita and Vinny, Dolly and Dick, Diane Chapman. Candie Benjamin and all of the wonderful ladies who worked at the 99 and  the many dance partners who made him smile!

Celebration of his life will be held in the fall by immediate family and close friends. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions in Ken's memory to an organization that supports Veterans Outreach or Alzheimer's Disease.

Arrangements by Driscoll Funeral Home, 309 S. Main Street, Haverhill. For guestbook, please visit www.driscollcares.com

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