Help Support Mary After the Loss of Her Husband, Jeff.
On August 31, 2026, our family lost an incredible husband, father, and grandfather, Jeff Williams.
Jeff and my mom, Mary, were married for 39 years. For nearly four decades, they built a life together, raised their family, made countless memories, and stood beside each other through everything life brought their way. Now, my mom is facing the unimaginable task of moving forward without her husband and best friend.
What began as gallbladder issues on August 8th quickly became a devastating medical emergency. Jeff was hospitalized in Big Rapids, Michigan, where he developed sepsis and his condition deteriorated rapidly. He was transferred to an ICU in East Grand Rapids, where doctors discovered that his kidneys were failing, fluid had developed around his lungs and heart, and portions of his intestines had died. His small intestine, colon, and large intestine were severely affected.
Jeff underwent multiple emergency surgeries, ultimately requiring a colostomy bag, feeding tube, and continuous dialysis. He was transferred once again to a larger hospital in Grand Rapids in hopes that he could recover. Despite the incredible efforts of his medical teams and everything our family hoped and prayed for, Jeff was simply too sick to overcome what had happened to his body.
After weeks of fighting, Jeff passed away peacefully on August 31st.
Jeff was so much more than what happened to him in his final weeks. He was a man who loved life, his family, and the things that brought him joy.
Jeff was a salesman who spent his career selling gym and athletic flooring to high schools and colleges throughout the Midwest. Sports were a huge part of his life, especially football. He played football throughout high school and later spent many years coaching at his high school. He loved golf, his boat, his Jeep, and his Mini Cooper. He and my mom enjoyed taking road trips and participating in drives across the Mackinac Bridge dedicated to Jeeps and Mini Coopers.
But above all else, Jeff loved his family.
His four grandchildren—Carter, Grayson, Georgia, and Annie—were his absolute pride and joy. He adored them more than words can express. They brought him so much happiness, and being their Papa was one of the greatest joys of his life.
Now, our family is asking for help for Mary.
After 39 years of marriage, my mom is suddenly facing life without Jeff while also dealing with the enormous financial burden that comes after such an unexpected and prolonged medical crisis. She is facing medical bills, funeral expenses, everyday living expenses, and the difficult reality of needing to sell the home they have shared for the past 20 years.
No family is ever prepared for something like this, and we don’t want my mom to have to worry about how she will financially survive while she is grieving the loss of her husband.
Any donation, no matter the amount, would mean so much to our family and would help give Mary some time and breathing room as she navigates the days ahead. If you aren’t able to donate, sharing this fundraiser or simply keeping Mary and our family in your thoughts and prayers would mean just as much.
Jeff was deeply loved, and we are going to miss him more than we can ever put into words.
Thank you for loving Jeff, supporting our family, and helping us take care of Mary during this incredibly difficult time. ❤️
