Schaumburg mourns passing of former zoning board chairman
Schaumburg residents and officials are mourning the loss of 82-year-old Roger Williams, who demonstrated his love for his community by tending to its future through 25 years of service on various village panels.
Williams retired after 13 years as chairman of the zoning board of appeals last summer, when he and his wife Kaye bought a winter home in Florida.
His successor, Harry Raimondi, remembers him as a true gentleman. And in terms of the zoning board's leadership, Williams was the calm break between predecessor Fred Dietrich and himself, Raimondi said.
"He was a quiet guy, and unlike me and Fred, who would get excited, he would handle things in a calm way," Raimondi added. "He was always respectful."
That respect may have been cultivated during a more than 20-year enlistment in the U.S. Navy, during which Williams ultimately earned the rank of Master Chief.
After leaving the Navy in 1975, Williams worked another 25 years for Sprint Telecommunications, including when it operated as Centel.
Schaumburg Mayor Al Larson said many are shocked by Williams' sudden passing Saturday while back in the area.
"It was a real stunner," Larson said. "You don't expect someone who's always been there not to be. He always was there for everyone else."
Larson said the calm exterior Williams maintained housed deep resources of knowledge.
"He was just the mild-mannered chair of the ZBA, but he knew his stuff," Larson said.
Raimondi said Williams' desire that Schaumburg maintain its tradition of thoughtful development led to his decades of civic involvement.
"I think like many of us it was a love of the community and being proud of the way things developed," Raimondi said. "I think he was always concerned that the proper use be found for properties."
A visitation for Williams will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, at Michaels Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 800 S. Roselle Road in Schaumburg. A Celebration of Life will begin at 8 p.m.
For more information call (847) 891-2900 or visit the guest book at michaelsfh.com.