John David Williams (Dave), age 79, of Fort Collins, CO, passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 17, 2025.
Dave was born in Lamar, CO on September 17th, 1946 to George Williams and Jean Williams (McGrath).
Dave graduated from Lamar High School in 1964. He attended the Honors College of Michigan State University where he was the president of his fraternity Phi Sigma Kappa. He then went on to graduate from Harvard Law School in 1971.
After graduating from law school, he settled in Fort Collins, eventually starting his own law firm. He had a 30 year career focusing on real estate and business planning law. He concluded his law career serving as a Judge in the 8th Judicial District of Larimer County for a decade.
As a young bachelor, Dave enjoyed nothing more than traveling and photographing the world. His travels took him to six continents and all 50 states. He also developed an enduring love of the local arts and supporting the greater Fort Collins community.
On January, 28th,1984 Dave and Linda Glenn married at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Old Town Fort Collins. They were lovingly married for over 40 years. In this time they raised two children, Scott and Breanne.
When he wasn't with his family, you would likely find him golfing at the Fort Collins Country Club or deeply involved in one of his many community building efforts, ranging from selling beer at CSU football games for the Sertoma Club to sitting on the board of Canyon Concert Ballet.
Dave's legacy and memory will live on through his wife, Linda Williams, his son Scott and his wife Jaclyn, their two kids Clara (13) and Dylan (10) in Portland, Maine, his daughter Bre Rosen and her husband, Max and their daughter Lucy (8) in Denver. Along with his immediate family, he is survived by three of his siblings Mike Williams, Mary Ann Stults, Nancy Woods, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his brothers Kent Williams and Fred Williams.
A celebration of life will be held in Fort Collins in the summer of 2026.
Donations in Dave's memory may be directed to The Family Center/La Familia of Fort Collins. Donations can be made on their website, thefamilycenterfc.org, or by calling 970-221-1615.