Donald Radford Williams

Donald Radford Williams

January 18, 1944 to February 16, 2022

Don grew up in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and graduated from Hopkins High School in 1962. After graduating, Don joined his father as an industrial electronics repair technician and engineer at Warmington, Woodcock, and Williams, Inc. Don eventually bought the business naming it 3W Electronics of MN. He worked at least part time through 2021. Don loved to share his passion for electronics -- particularly radios. He volunteered for many years as a coach for the Pavek Radio Museum’s Vintage Radio Service Class even until months before his death. Don also repaired antique clocks.

As a teen, Don was diagnosed with narcolepsy, a sleep disorder, and lived with it for the rest of his life. Despite the challenges posed by his disease, Don demonstrated a spirit of perseverance. He had a zest for life, which he lived joyfully and fully. In addition to his wife, Don loved beautiful music, fast cars, good food, and silly jokes.

Don married his beloved “Janie” on June 29, 1968, and, together, they were a faithful members of Wayzata Evangelical Free Church for more than 50 years. After the death of their son Stevie in 1986, Don and Jane joined the church’s Stephen Ministry where they served as peer counselors.

Don was a loving and faithful husband, a gentle father and grandfather, a patient teacher, and a reliable friend. He loved God and lived a life guided by his faith. Indeed, although he had not spoken for several days, a few days before his death, Don found the will to reassure his family, whispering repeatedly, “I see heaven! I see it!”

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts to the Pavek Radio Museum (pavekmuseum.org) or the National Organization for Rare Disorders (rarediseases.org) which funds research into (among other disorders) narcolepsy.

Don was preceded in death by his son, Stephen Lee Williams, parents Radford Williams and Mildred Williams, and father-in-law Clinton Heitke. He is survived by his wife Jane, sister Peg Thomas, children Andrea Williams Wan (Vincent) and Nathan Williams (Sarah), and grandsons Rafael Wan, Matthew Williams, and Theodore Williams, mother-in-law Vivian Heitke, an extended family, and many friends.

Service Saturday (2/19) 1 PM with visitation starting at noon at Wayzata Evangelical Free Church, 705 Co. Rd. #101, Plymouth.  Interment Parker's Lake Cemetery.

To view Don's service live, please visit:

https://subspla.sh/j6t3n7n