136 years and counting: Williams family has participated in all West Side Memorial Day Parades

KINGSTON — The Williams family, with roots in Kingston, has participated in all 135 West Side Memorial Day parades. On Monday, the family’s streak will reach 136 years.

“Starting with my great-grandfather, Edward C. Williams, in 1891, then with my father, Donald, who passed in 2012, and now with my sister and me, we have never missed attending and participating in the parade and services at Forty-Fort,” Don Williams said. “The parade has been canceled at least three times in the past 50 years — two times for inclement weather and one time for COVID. In each of those years, to keep the family tradition alive, we went to the cemetery and held a brief ceremony. In one of those years, my daughter, Lauren, played “Taps” in front of the Kingston American Legion. Grandpa Eddie made it to 70 years participating, my dad to 60, and we’re at 45.”

It’s a proud tradition of the Williams family and one that will continue for years to come, now that a great-great-great-grandson of Edward C. Williams is scheduled to attend the event at the cemetery this year, marking the sixth generation to participate.

“With the passing of my father in 2012 and Edward’s remaining grandson, Glenn Williams, in 2020, I am now the patriarch of Edward’s descendants.

“Beginning with Eddie and his brother Thomas in 1891, members of our family have honored the fallen on every Memorial Day for 135 consecutive years,” Don said. “At times, when the parade was canceled due to weather — or COVID in 2020 — we still traveled to and paid our respects at the cemetery in Forty Fort.”

Don will again recite the Gettysburg Address at the ceremony at the Forty Fort Cemetery — he’s done that for 20 years, and he has been the keynote speaker twice.

Over the past six months, Don said he has done quite a bit of personal research to find the longest uninterrupted family participation in Memorial Day services.

Although older parades exist nationwide, the closest possible streak that I’ve found so far belongs to the Kelly family in Ironton, Ohio,” Don said. “So far, I’ve not been able to absolutely confirm to my satisfaction they’ve never skipped or missed a year, so until I do, I believe our family may gladly and proudly hold that honor — 136 consecutive years.”

The Civil War fife

Don Williams said he never saw his great-grandfather march in the West Side Memorial Day parade, but he knows he did participate in the event for 70 consecutive years.

“Making it to 70 consecutive years tells me it was obviously important to him,” said Williams. “No one ever offered a specific explanation as to why he started, but that Civil War fife of his has been carried and/or played on every Memorial Day for all 136 years.”

A member of the Williams family has carried and played the fife every year for 135 years, a tradition that continues today with members of the fifth generation.

Don Williams, 70, talked about his great-grandfather and how this patriotic family feels about honoring America’s fallen heroes and why they believe all Americans should as well.

Williams grew up in Kingston and later moved to Wilkes-Barre. He now resides in Harleysville.

Williams offered this information on his family’s participation in the West Side Memorial Day Parade:

• His great-grandfather, Edward C. Williams, first marched in the parade in 1891. He last marched in 1961 — 70 consecutive years.

• His grandfather, Samuel Williams, participated for several years until he moved out of the area.

• His father, Donald Williams, first marched in 1952 and last participated in 2012 — a 60-year run.

• Don will hit 45 straight years of marching in the parade in 2026.

• Don’s three children — Lauren, Lisa, and Bryan (5th generation) — have participated over the years, playing the trumpet, drums, and, yes, that Civil War fife.

• Don’s sister, Diana LeVasseur, and her husband, Dennis, and their son Andrew, have also participated in the parade for years.

All in all, five generations and 136 years of patriotic participation in honoring America’s fallen heroes.

“That’s why I will be there every year,” Williams said.

Williams said he only has one distinct memory of his great-grandfather, Edward C. Williams — a face he said was later verified by one of Eddie’s grandsons.

Edward Williams died in 1961, when Don was no more than 5 or 6 years old. The family lived at 173-1/2 South Wyoming Ave., just a block away from Kingston Corners. Edward worked at Blue Ribbon Bakery as an engineer.

Don Williams shared some of his thoughts/memories about his family’s participation in the West Side Memorial Day Parade.

Don’s father (Eddie’s grandson) marched in the parade for 60 years and was the co-grand marshal in 2004.

Don’s grandmother (his dad’s mom) died of TB in 1941, when his dad was 11 at the time. “Eddie” and his wife raised Don’s father.

“I’m guessing his exposure over the years to what Memorial Day meant to Eddie was why my dad kept the tradition going,” Don said. “Whatever word you might choose — respect, honor, etc. — he felt an obligation to continue what Eddie started.”

Don’s father was a graduate of Kingston High School Class of 1949. He enlisted and served in Korea from 1951 to 1953, serving as a frontline medic.

“He never said too much about the war, but the man spit-polished his boots and ironed everything — including his hankies,” Don said of his father. “He was proud of his service.”

Later in life, Don said he made it a point to get his dad to Washington, D.C., to see the World War II and Korean War Memorials.

“He was a rock star that day, and as stoic as my dad was most of the time, I could see he was truly touched by the many who thanked him for his service,” Don said.

Pride is the central theme for the Williams family when it comes to honoring veterans, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedom.

Don began marching with his dad at every parade starting in 1982, first playing the drums and then later the fife. As a side note: Don’s dad was born on Flag Day and died one day short of Veterans Day.

So what does Memorial Day mean to Don and the Williams family?

Don said many years ago, a reporter asked his dad about his military service after the parade, and what it felt like to be a hero. He said his dad’s answer was polite, but quick and direct.

Paraphrasing his dad’s response, Don said the answer to the question went something like, “In my mind, the heroes are the ones that didn’t come home. We are here to honor them today.”

Don said he marches out of sincere respect for the three generations that preceded him and to continue honoring the heroes who did not come home.

Don also noted that all five of his mother’s brothers served in the military — two in the Marines, two in the Navy, and one in the Air Force. Three were in WWII, one did not make it home — killed by a Japanese mortar shell in March 1944 and buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

“I also march in his memory,” Don said.

A family friend appreciates the Williams family

Rich Pries, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and former Commander at the Kingston Black Diamond American Legion Post 395, offered comments about the Williams family’s amazing streak.

“Once again, we will be honored to have the Don Williams family taking part in the West Side Veterans Memorial Day Parade,” Pries said. “This will make it 136 years for that wonderful tradition that separates the most.”

As the former commander of the Black Diamond American Legion Post 395 in Kingston, Pries said the dedication of the Williams family to honoring America’s fallen heroes means everything to all members of the American Legion.

“Plus, I’m sure it means just as much to the Anthracite VFW Post 283, also in Kingston,” Pries said. “Such a wonderful and dedicated family who year after year show their ultimate respect for our fallen heroes. I, for one, salute them all. Thank you, Don and family, past, present, and future.”

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