Kenneth L. Williams was born in Niagara Falls, New York on November 29, 1909. Ken was a fun, spirited individual who explored many interests in his earlier years including acting, music, and aviation. His trade eventually became lithography. As a young man he remembered helping to push the tail around of the Spirit of St. Louis during its post-Atlantic crossing tour.

Ken learned to fly in the late 1930s at Hyland Airport in Rochester, N.Y. where much of his flying was in Waco UPF-7s and J-3 Cubs. Shortly after that he enrolled in the newly formed Civil Air Patrol. He participated actively in the local CAP squadron until he joined the Navy on October 12, 1943.

In the Navy he served in VR-1, primarily as crew chief on R5Ds, Navy version of the C-54. During that time he flew to many different countries as well as 78 missions across the Atlantic. In this role he met many famous people due to the frequent transport of USO troops and military VIPs. Among the many notables was Charles Lindbergh whose autograph he has on his "short-snorter."

Later in life Ken's children enjoyed the many stories he had to tell of people he met, air adventures like the forced landing in the Sarah Desert, being shot at by a German submarine, his visit to Russia, and many others. He was discharged from the Navy on January 16, 1946.

He resumed flying for a short period of time after the war, but then met Lucille Odenbach whom he married and started a family with in 1949. Ken became a devoted husband and father, making the choice to give up flying. His interest and passion for it never completely died and he inspired this interest in several of his children.

Although Kenneth L. Williams was never at the forefront of aviation, he does represent many individuals who had a passion for flight at the grass roots of it. He is loved by many. He died on July 10, 2003. His children and grandchildren will miss him, but their memories of him will continue to soar.