Hugh Kitson Williams, Sr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, engineer, mentor, uncle, and friend, passed away on May 30, 2026. In our home country of Jamaica, Uncle is both a title bestowed and earned. The number of people that called him Uncle was far beyond the family. He leaves behind a legacy of perseverance, generosity, leadership, and devotion to family that will continue to inspire all who knew him.

Hugh was born on October 20, 1948, in Mavis Bank, St. Andrew, Jamaica, to Ranford Williams and Katherine Williams. When he was just thirteen years old, he lost his father, an event that helped shape the resilient, determined, and responsible man he would become. He grew up alongside his brother and two sisters in the close-knit community of Mavis Bank, maintaining a lifelong connection to his family and homeland.

In 1967, Hugh met the love of his life, Yvonne A. Williams, in their hometown of Mavis Bank. Their relationship blossomed into a partnership that would span nearly six decades and serve as the foundation of a family built on faith, commitment, sacrifice, and love. Together they raised three sons whom Hugh cherished deeply: Hugh Williams, Jr., Kirkton Paul Williams, and Jeremy Hamil Williams.

A gifted student, Hugh earned a scholarship to attend Dinthill Technical High School in Kingston, Jamaica, before continuing his education at the Technical University of Jamaica. Following his studies, he began his professional career with Alcan at Jamaica's bauxite operations. Driven by a desire to create greater opportunities for his family, he applied to several universities in the United States and ultimately enrolled at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) at the age of twenty-four, often joking that he was by far the oldest freshman on campus.

With courage and determination, Hugh left Jamaica to pursue his education and build a new future. Yvonne and their eldest son, Hugh Jr., later joined him in Milwaukee, followed by Kirk. After completing his Mechanical Engineering studies, Hugh began what would become a distinguished career with Caterpillar. As a Project Design Engineer in the Medium Wheel Loader Group, he spent thirty-one years (1978-2009) helping design and develop equipment used around the world. He eventually led international engineering teams spanning multiple continents and was awarded several patents throughout his career.

His career brought the family to Davenport, Iowa, where his youngest son, Jeremy, was born, before they ultimately settled in Aurora, Illinois, in 1987. Aurora would remain home for nearly forty years.

While Hugh built a successful career as an engineer, engineering was far more than a profession-it was part of who he was. A natural tinkerer with endless curiosity, he loved understanding how things worked and how they could be improved. He spent countless weekends restoring, repairing, and maintaining automobiles with the same attention to detail that defined his professional life. Over time, this passion grew into a remarkable collection of vehicles that brought him great pride and enjoyment. To Hugh, cars represented the perfect blend of craftsmanship, creativity, and ingenuity. He was, at heart, a true gearhead.

Friends and family often sought Hugh's advice because of his unique ability to analyze problems, think through solutions, and offer thoughtful guidance. Whether discussing business, family matters, engineering challenges, or life's many uncertainties, he was someone people trusted. Uncle Hugh.

While his accomplishments as an engineer were well known, one of Hugh's most defining qualities was his generosity. Throughout his life, he quietly helped others pursue educational opportunities, navigate important decisions, overcome difficult circumstances, and achieve goals they might not have reached on their own-often without recognition and never with the expectation of anything in return. Many credit Hugh with helping them secure their first job, purchase their first car, continue their education, or simply believe they could accomplish more than they thought possible.

He gave his time, wisdom, encouragement, and counsel freely to family, friends, colleagues, and members of his community. The true measure of Hugh's impact lies not only in his professional accomplishments but in the countless lives he helped shape and the opportunities he created for others.

Above all else, Hugh was devoted to his family. He worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for his wife and children, believing deeply in the values of education, hard work, integrity, and personal responsibility. He led not merely through words, but through example.

Though he embraced life in the United States, Jamaica never left his heart. He remained deeply connected to Mavis Bank throughout his life, returning often and proudly sharing his homeland with his family. Summer trips to Jamaica became treasured family traditions, strengthening bonds across generations and ensuring that his children and grandchildren understood where they came from.

Hugh was known for his love of family, his curiosity about the world, and his enjoyment of discussing cars, sports, engineering, business, and current events. He took pride in his accomplishments, but found his greatest joy in watching his children and grandchildren grow and succeed.

He is survived by his loving wife, Yvonne A. Williams; his sons, Hugh Williams, Jr. (Amaka Nweke), Kirkton Paul Williams (Michelle Rothenberg Williams), and Jeremy Hamil Williams; and his four cherished grandchildren: Jocelyn, Nigel, Sebastian, and Celine. He is also survived by his sister, Norma Williams, along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends, neighbors, and colleagues in both Jamaica and the United States. He was preceded in death by his sister, Joyce, and his brother, Vernal.

Hugh's story was one of determination, sacrifice, and possibility. From the hills of Mavis Bank to a distinguished engineering career in America, he built a life defined by hard work, generosity, and love. His example opened doors for future generations and created opportunities that continue through his children, grandchildren, and the many people whose lives he touched.

To his family, he was simply Dad, Pops, Father, Big Papa, Uncle, and Grandpa. He taught us to work hard, think independently, honor our commitments, and never forget where we came from. We will miss his advice, his stories, his humor, his wisdom, and the steady presence that anchored our family for so many years.

Though his passing leaves a tremendous void, his legacy lives on in the family he loved, the values he instilled, and the countless lives he influenced. He will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered.

We will never forget that smile.

Charitable donations in memory of Hugh K. Williams can be made to Hesed House, Aurora IL by clicking this link: Donation in Honor or Memory of Someone - Hesed House

Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, from 9:00 A.M. until time of service at 11:00 A.M. at Dunn Family Funeral Home with Crematory 1801 South Douglas Road, Oswego, IL. 60543. Burial will be at Lincoln Memorial Park in Aurora, IL. For additional information please visit the memorial page at dunnfamilyfuneralhome.com or call 630/554-3888.

Following link to the funeral service video:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DzD6Ahh5JBtZljo1XNLPxg2COzsA0_He/view?usp=drive_link