John Joseph Williams of Flowery Branch, GA, passed away July 6, 2017, in Braselton, GA, following a courageous battle with cancer. He was 60.

Mr. Williams was born January 26, 1957, in Meadville, a son of John J. "Jack" and Josephine M. (Damico) Karas Williams.

John was raised in Ashtabula, OH, and graduated from Ashtabula Harbor High School. He then matriculated to Kent State University where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in accounting. His father, Jack, owned and operated four Pizza Villa pizza parlors, with two locations in Ashtabula, as well as locations in Geneva and Geneva on the Lake. He had previously owned and operated several bars and restaurants in the Greenville and Conneaut Lake area.  His mother, Josephine was a homemaker and assisted her husband in managing their businesses.  John has two brothers, Mickey and Mark Williams, and was the middle child of the three boys in the family. As a child, John enjoyed playing golf, basketball, and most importantly, working at the family owned Pizza Villa's. He earned a CPCU designation. John's first job following college was working as an auditor for PricewaterhouseCoopers. He was later employed by Textron, and spent two years in Australia. While in Australia, he married Amanda Williams. After accepting a VP position with Progressive Insurance, John and Amanda moved to Chagrin Falls, Ohio, where they lived for the next 10 years, 1988-1998. It was in Chagrin Falls where they raised their two daughters, Shannon and Ashley. In 1998, John and his family moved to Atlanta, GA, after accepting a promotion from, Arthur J Gallagher& Co. He then worked for a short time at Dawson, Inc. insurance company. In 2014 John relocated to Flowery Branch, GA.  John began his true passion in 2015 working as an Independent Agent for Aflac, Inc. In his first year, John earned "Rookie of the Year" by earning over $300k in commission. An exceptional salesman, he always earned awards in every position he held.

John loved many sports, but none came close to his love for golf. John had many golfing accomplishments in his lifetime, most notably, an Albatross (double eagle) and numerous hole-in-ones. His true passions were making people laugh, making pizzas and being a father.

John is survived by his two daughters, Shannon Williams, Raleigh, NC; and Ashley Williams, Atlanta, GA.; A companion, Wendy Miller, Flowery Branch, GA.; two brothers, Mark Williams and his wife Tina, Chicago, IL; and Michael "Mick" Williams and his wife Coleen, Mentor, OH; and several nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Research Institute; online donations can be made by visiting www.cancerresearch.org .

Calling hours will be 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday ( 7-14-17 ) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

Memorial Mass will be 1 p.m. Friday , in the Church of Notre Dame, 2325 Highland Rd, Hermitage, with the Very Rev. Richard J. Allen, pastor, as celebrant.

Interment: St. Mary Cemetery, Hermitage.