HOOSICK, N.Y. -- Dr. John R. Williams, 87, a former longtime resident of Rutland, Vt., and most recently of Hoosick, N died on Tuesday morning, Sept. 30, 2003 at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, Vt., following a long illness. Dr. Williams was born in Fair Haven, Vt. on June 27, 1916, and was the son of John J. and Elizabeth (Jones) Williams. He received his education in local schools, and for 32 years, he held a track and field record at Fair Haven High School. He is a graduate of Middlebury College, in the class of 1938, and is also a graduate of Tufts Medical School in Boston. Dr. Williams has previously lived in Pennsylvania and had served his medical residency in North Dakota. He entered the Army in 1943, and was discharged in 1946 as a captain. He had served in the European Theatre in the medical corps. On Sept. 4, 1943 he married the former Eleanor Avery in Thomasville, Ga. Mrs. Williams passed away in 1980. The Williamses moved to Vermont in 1952, and he began his medical career at the Rutland Hospital, and was a radiologist there until his retirement from the Rutland Regional Medical Center in 1988. Dr. Williams was a member of numerous professional andcommunity organizations, and was a board member of the Rutland Free Library. He was also secretary of the Medical staff at Rutland Hospital.He enjoyed playing tennis, golfing, and skiing, and after his retirement, became a recreational pilot. He was an avid fan, following the various sports of his grandchildren.He is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Barbara Williams of Atlanta, Ga.; one daughter and son-in-law, Nancy W. Weaver and Pankaj Goswami of East Hoosick; one sister, Betty Cummings of West Haven, Vt.; a sister-in-law, Martha Williams of Milton, Pa.; and his six grandchildren, Todd Weaver, Bethany Weaver, Andee Weaver-Hennig, Zachary Weaver, Allison Williams, Cori Williams; and his step-grandchildren, Nicole and Neal Goswami; a very close family friend, Hugh Rudnick, and two nephews and one niece. A celebration of his life will be held on Friday afternoon, Oct. 3, at 2 p.m. at the Grace Congregational Church in Rutland with the Rev. Gerald Handspicker, pastor, officiating. Interment will take place privately atthe convenience of the family. There will not be any calling hours. Memorials in his honor may be made to the American Cancer Society, Vermont affiliate, in care of the Hanson-Walbridge Funeral Home, P.O. Box 957, Bennington, VT 05201.To offer e-mail condolences, contact us at www.nsm.org\covey .