Laurel Winkel (1968)

(Comments from the OAA Facebook group)

Courtney Stevens Kerry

Celebrating all the contributions Mr. Williams made to my middle school years. SO many memories, SO many shows, SO many quotes: "Go sit down and contemplate your navels." He drove us hard, but also showed us he way and we're all better for it.

Tammy B MoellerAuthor

Mr. Williams directed several shows I was cast in: Oklahoma (at Kinawa), Carousel and The Sound of Music (at OHS). I never took a class of his, but I got some good lessons from him.

Stacy Sheldon Guthrie

Animal Farm comes to mind as well as many quotes. Thank you for opening a young mind.

Daniel Grady

could listen to him on the PA at football games from Tacoma Hills

Patricia Blend Marmon

Even after all of these years I can recall his sense of humor and it makes me smile.

Jeffrey Gardiner

Does anyone know how he received the nickname Turkey?

Mark Burgett

Jeffrey Gardiner he called everyone Turkey

Mike Barnett

Mark Burgett That answers the question I had to ask. I never had him in any classes but I always thought his nick name was Turkey?

Susan Kearney Seeberg

Rest In Peace, Mr. Williams. Loved your class in 7th grade(and I still have my LA award;).

Jon Lloyd

He was a great teacher and director.

Victoria Stephon Walker

So very sorry to see this.

Martha Daniels

Still have great memories of a drama class (Twelve Angry People), and Miracle Worker. He woke the scenery-chewer in me! RIP.

Jamie Ehinger-Rapson

Martha Daniels I agree about the Miracle Worker I taped it long ago just watched it again this winter

Kathy Sheufelt

What a character! He served the Okemos Education Association as a negotiator. I remember him fondly as both a teacher & colleague!

Faith Herrick

Thanks for the memories Mr. Williams! You taught me some valuable life lessons at Kinawa and nurtured my love for drama and singing. You will be remembered fondly.

Amber Horton

I’ll never forget when he told my parents I’d be a better student if I “stopped kissing boys in the hallway and started studying”. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Mel House

Amber Horton lort.

Mike Barnett

Amber Horton Did you become a better student? Or....?😜

Amber Horton

Mike Barnett nope 😃

Mike Barnett

Amber Horton Good answer🥰

Mike Barnett

Amber Horton Do you know what mashing means because I didn't find out untill she showed me. I could have got away but I chose not to🤪🤪!

Ramsey Ramsey

He taught me how to diagram sentences iirc

Nancy Leilani Moreno Frisch

I remember Mr. Williams. I wrote a book report on, "The Black Plague", and he commended me for such a report.

Nancy Leilani Moreno Frisch

Or Maybe Mr. Williams was the Language Arts teacher that I had and I did a up front in class how to make Rice Krispy Treats. And I gave everyone in class pre-made Rice Krispy Treats!!!

Christopher Haines

Loved listening to him read books to us in class, he had some great character voices.

Daniel Grady

Christopher Haines sat behind you in his 8th grade english class

Kristy Layman Doyle

What a great teacher. I can still picture him in the corner classroom if the 7th grade wing if I’m not mistaking??

Eric Williams

Kristy Layman Doyle that’s right

Laurie Netzloff Adams

Eric Williams so sorry for your loss, Eric.

Eric Williams

Thanks Laurie

Charlene Largent Bailey

Mr. Williams was an awesome teacher! He caught my attention very quickly when I was talking during his class. I was in the back row, and all of a sudden I saw the eraser come whizzing by my head and it hit the board behind me. Got my attention very qui… See more

Kevin Davidson

Charlene Largent Bailey I remember that. I was also a recipient of the no look eraser as well. RIP Mr. Williams.

Esther Spaeth Kelly

Charlene Largent Bailey I’d forgotten about him doing that.

Jamie Ehinger-Rapson

He was a great man and turned me on to many great classics that are probably banned now. Prayers and hugs to his family. Grateful!🙏🏻💫

David Trebing

RIP Mr. Williams! He was a wonderful Drama teacher. I remember when he married Mrs. Lauzen, who was my 3rd grade teacher at Edgewood! Hard to believe that was 49 years ago, according to his obituary.

Debbie Kellermeyer

Wasn’t it Mr. Wuble-iams 😉

Denise Eileen Wiedbrauk Slabaugh

Baseball bat Frank…fondly and a bit intimidated memories. RIP Mr Williams.

Chris Link Hammond

Sad news

Arthur Battaglia

Salute in deepest Regards. RIP Sir

Spike Fuehr

I liked how he used to call kids "squids" (at least he did that in the early 1980s). He had command of his classroom.

Jason Munger

Spike Fuehr he had so many funny sayings. Opossum snout, badger breath, pond scum…he kept it serious, but with a sense a humor. I think I only had one class with him but really enjoyed it.

Katie Cavanaugh

Spike Fuehr by the late 80s, he called us all dolts.

Theresa Figg- Riebow

Loved having you as my teacher at Kinawa!!! Rest in prace, dear teacher!!

Willam White

Sad day, Mr Williams was awesome teacher and i had him in my 7th grade yr at Kinawa. Him and Mr Hall help get me help and testing (learning disability). My prayers to his family. again an awesome teacher !!! RIP 🙁

David Glickman

I have some great memories of Williams-DeWald productions.

Esther Spaeth Kelly

Mr Williams was one of my favorite teachers! He was witty (sometimes scarily so), and when he read aloud to us, it was like being transported into the book/poem/story. My favorite school experiences had the soundtrack of his voice, from Oklahoma/King… See more

Eric Williams

Esther Spaeth Kelly my dad would absolutely love this comment. He would dress up as Albus Dumbledore on Halloween. He loved Harry Potter and the magic and all the trimmings. To be thought as having magical abilities would have thrilled him to no end. T… See more

Catherine Manning

So sad to hear this. Sending love and care to his family. I recently reached out to Mr. Dewald and now I wish I had also thought to reach out to Mr. Williams too.

They cast me (an Asian girl - Cathy Chang) as Snow White at Kinawa way back in 1986… See more

David Glickman

Catherine Manning you were the best Snow White ever. The colorblind casting worked not just for you —- but for all of us. We never thought it odd that Snow White was Asian.

Thomas Zuhl

Loved Turkey Williams! He taught me a great deal and was a teacher who made learning fun. A great basketball announcer too!

Carson Neifert

Praying

Laurel Winkel (1968)

(Additional comments from the OAA Facebook group)

Eric Williams

I’d like to thank all of you who knew and remembered my dad. He obviously touched many lives. Your comments made me very proud. Thank you.

Julia Mattern

I'm sorry to hear about your dad, Eric. He was a passionate and dedicated teacher who pushed us all to higher standards. Sending love to you and your family.

Eric Williams

Julia Mattern Thanks Julia.

Jamie Ehinger-Rapson

Your Dad was a phenomenal person who unlocked a lot of minds through books. He cared about us and so very grateful for his gift! Thank you to your family for sharing him with us! Grateful!

Cindy A. Travis

I am so sorry for your loss. He was a great teacher and will be remembered fondly.

Kathy Sheufelt

Eric - he was a fantastic educator! He touched many lives in the classroom and on the stage!! If my memory serves me right, I think he scouted for my varsity basketball coach, Bob Walborn, when our girls’ team made it to the State finals!

Eric Williams

Kathy Sheufelt I remember how excited he was for that run.

Beth Williams

Kathy Sheufelt You're right about that, Kathy. Frank and Bob Walborn were good friends. We hadn't heard from Bob after he moved to Colorado.

Ron Wheeler

6th grade for Math. A great man for sure. Thanks Eric.

Eric Williams

Ron Wheeler I don’t think he ever taught math. 😝

Eric Williams

I never knew this

Jill Hargrave Richardson

Ron Wheeler I also had Mr. Williams for English and math. 1964. He was lots of fun.

Eric Williams

Jill Hargrave Richardson he was 30 yrs then

Debbie Kellermeyer

I always looked forward to going to his class - and the thing I remember most is diagramming sentences - so that says a lot if he can make a middle schooler look forward to that! ☺️

Madison Hall

Eric, I’m so very sorry to hear about your Dad, and sending my deepest condolences for your loss.

Eric Williams

Madison Hall thanks Madison

Dianna Campbell Erickson

I will forever remember him singing Day-o down the hallways. He was a great guy. Please let your family know we are all thinking of you.

Allison S. Cartwright

So sorry for your loss. Your dad was an awesome teacher.

Laurie Patten-Mooney

I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad's passing. I knew I wanted to be Language Arts teacher after having his class in seventh grade. That was the year that I learned to appreciate reading and creative writing. I loved his humorous but caring teaching style. He was one of my most favorite teachers ever, not to mention a wonderful theater coach! Condolences to you and your entire family!!!

Eric Williams

Laurie Patten-Mooney thanks Laurie. I knew he appreciated your dance talent. He talked about it at home. Of all the casting decisions he made for the King and I, he was really excited to see what you would do in that dream sequence. And he was ecstatic about the results. You were a favorite of his, not that teachers are supposed to have favorites. But, you definitely were

Laurie Patten-Mooney

Eric Williams 😭 Thanks, Eric!

Peggy Wolfe-Vanover

Eric Williams I'm very sorry for your loss.

Arthur Battaglia

People loved your Dad far and wide, any of us should be as fortunate.

Eric Williams

Arthur Battaglia aww. Thanks

Craig Sturk

I didn’t know he was your dad! …I never had him as a teacher but was always friendly and nice to me when we would speak… I liked him! …good memories!

Eric Williams

Craig Sturk he was. Thanks

Michelle Mertz

I’m so sorry for your loss, Eric. I have so many memories of his class in the 7th grade - my first year in Okemos. He was a great teacher who had a significant positive impact on my life.

Mark Jay

I did not know that he was your dad. My deepest condolences.

Eric Williams

Mark Jay well. Yes. Thanks for your thoughts. I thought I told you when we talked about the musicals at OHS. Anyway. Thanks so much.

Carson Neifert

Thank you for sharing this!

Willam White

your dad had a impact on my life. im glad i had him for a teacher

Pam Peninger Studebaker

So sorry for your loss.

Christy Tarr McVey

Such fond memories of the shows he directed!! You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers!

Robin Olson (Drake) (1969)

So very sorry to see that one of my very favorite teachers is now in heaven.  My husband Bill and I met in Mr. Williams class about sixty years ago!!  We both have many of great memories of him and the things he taught us. He was patient, kind and fair and really made a difference in the lives of his students. Prayers for peace for his family.... he will be greatly missed!