Mary Ellen and Dr. Roger Dean Williams, DDS

Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

St. Dominic Catholic Church, Breese

Saturday, September 26, 2026

11:00 a.m.

St. Dominic Catholic Church, Breese

Mary Ellen (née Kyle) Williams passed away peacefully on Friday, July 23, 2026, in Sun City Center, FL. She was 89 years old. Mary fought a long, courageous battle with congestive heart failure, facing her illness with the same grace and resilience that defined her entire life.

 

Born in 1936 to Dr. Raymond Kyle of Highland, IL, and Helen (née Klutho) Kyle of Breese, IL, Mary grew up in Breese surrounded by family and graduated from St. Dominic High School in 1954. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dr. Roger D. Williams, DDS; her parents; her sisters, Ruth, Eva, Rita (Jack) Page, and Helen (Leslie) Winters; and her brother, Raymond "Doc".

 

Mary’s life was a testament to love, hard work, and partnership. In her early years, she worked tirelessly to support her husband, Roger, through his dental education and at his dental practice in Urbana, OH, and stood as a mainstay of support during his tenure at The Ohio State University while simultaneously raising their four children.

 

Beyond her family life, Mary was a woman of remarkable intellect and entrepreneurial spirit. She was a licensed real estate agent, an adept investor, a contractor, and a property manager. An impeccable record keeper, she managed both her business as well as her husband’s practice. Never one to be left behind by changing times, she eagerly embraced computer technology, teaching herself digital accounting in the 1980s.

 

Mary brought creativity and passion to everything she touched. She loved travel, was a dedicated gardener, and an insatiable reader. Her hands were rarely still, as she spent decades mastering sewing and countless other crafts. Above all, Mary was a devout Catholic and a devoted child of God whose deep, unwavering faith guided her steps every day.

 

Her legacy lives on through her family. Mary will be lovingly remembered by her sister, Kathleen (Kathy) A. Hennessy (Kyle). She is the cherished mother of Eva Williams of Eau Claire, WI; Victoria (Larry) Witherup of Stuart, FL; Marc (Andrea) Williams of Wadsworth, OH; and Laura Wiliams of Riverview, FL. She is also the proud grandmother of Hillary, Brandon, Melanie, Kyle, and Luke; and the great-grandmother of Brooks and Addison.

 

Visitation for Mary and Roger will be held Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., followed by a Memorial Mass at 11:00 a.m., at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese. Mary will be laid to rest alongside her husband, Dr. Roger Dean Williams, at St. Dominic-St. Augustine Cemetery in Breese, IL. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Mary’s memory to the American Heart Association, honoring her life of giving and love and will be received at the visitation or by mail at Moss Funeral Home, 535 N. 5th Street, Breese, IL 62230, who is serving the family.

 

 

Dr. Roger Dean Williams, D.D.S., aged 86, passed away peacefully on June 5, 2021, in Riverview, FL, following a long, courageous battle with dementia and cancer. He leaves behind a legacy of dedicated service to his country, his patients, and the generations of dental professionals he mentored.

 

Born on July 8, 1934, to Ralph and Emily Grace (née Brokaw) Williams, Roger grew up in Marion, OH.  After graduating from Harding High School in 1952, Roger answered the call to duty and served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, with assignments in Illinois, Germany, and South Carolina.

 

Following his military service, Roger pursued his passion for higher education at The Ohio State University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in education before completing his Doctorate in Dental Surgery in 1966. Roger went on to establish a thriving dental practice in Urbana, OH, where he and his wife, Mary, became deeply rooted, active parishioners at St. Mary Catholic Church.

 

Roger’s commitment to his profession extended far beyond his private practice. For over 45 years, he shaped the future of dentistry as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Dental Surgery at The Ohio State University Dental School. His profound contributions to the field earned him the distinction of being named a Fellow of the American College of Dentists. He also served as Vice Chairman of the Council of Education for the Ohio Dental Association and remained a lifelong, passionate supporter of his alma mater as a member of The President’s Club.

 

Roger was preceded in death by his parents; and his siblings, Bill, Carroll, Virginia, Keith, and Sheila Nash.

 

His memory will be lovingly cherished by his four children: Eva Williams of Eau Claire, WI; Victoria (Larry) Witherup of Stuart, FL; Marc (Andrea) Williams of Wadsworth, OH; and Laura Williams of Riverview, FL. He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Hillary, Brandon, Melanie, Kyle, and Luke; and his two great-grandchildren, Brooks and Addison.

 

Dr. Williams will be laid to rest alongside his wife, Mary Ellen, in Breese, IL, on September 26, 2026. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Roger’s memory to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer's Association to support continuing research and patient care and will be received at the visitation or by mail at Moss Funeral Home, 535 N. 5th Street, Breese, IL 62230, who is serving the family.