Douglas Scott Williams

Douglas (Doug) Scott Williams of East Grand Rapids, Michigan, beloved husband, and father, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, August 20, 2020, early in the morning at home.  Doug was born on November 27, 1962, in Youngstown, Ohio to David E. and E. Leslie (Campbell) Williams.  He was a graduate of Poland Seminary High School, Poland, Ohio class of 1981.  From there he went on to Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity and graduated in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.  On November 6, 1999, Doug married Andrea Hammerschmidt in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Doug was a one-of-a-kind person who could fill a room with laughter, a devoted and loving husband, and a dedicated father.  Being a father to Robert, his son, was one of the greatest joys of Doug’s life.  Doug was passionate about financial investments and the economy.  He began his career as a Portfolio Manager/Trader at First National Bank of Western Pennsylvania in New Castle, Pennsylvania from 1985-1988.  He moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1988 and joined Old Kent Bank/Fifth Third Bank as a Trust Investment Officer.  After a period of relocation to Chicago, Doug returned to Grand Rapids in 1998 as Vice President, Director of Portfolio Management (West Michigan) until 2002.  Doug’s next career move took him to Amsouth/Regions Bank in 2002 as Senior Vice President of Private Banking in Memphis, Tennessee.  He was then promoted to Senior Vice President, Southeast Regional Manager Portfolio Management in Birmingham, Alabama.  Doug felt drawn to return to Michigan, and in 2010 he joined the Grand Rapids office of PNC Wealth Management as Market Investment Director, Senior Vice President.  In 2017, he became Senior Vice President, Great Lakes Market Investment Manager.  Doug held the professional designations of Certified Financial Planner and Accredited Investment Fiduciary.  Doug was an active volunteer in the Arts including proudly serving on the Board of Directors for the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts and on the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) Foundation Board of Trustees for nearly a decade, including serving as Board Chair.  Doug loved living in Michigan and being near the water.  He especially enjoyed vacationing in the Lake Leelanau area, rock hunting, and boating with his family and dogs.  He was an avid cook, and enjoyed backyard barbecuing and smoking meats.  His other hobbies and interests included golf, photography, gardening, and lapidary.  He was an Ohio State fan and rarely missed watching an IndyCar or NASCAR race.  With his son, Robert, he became involved in Cub Scouts and the Grand River Valley Model Railroad Club.  Doug touched many lives and made many good friends throughout his life and career.  His friendships were important to him and included a group of friends that remained close and constant for over 45 years.  Doug is survived by and will be dearly missed by his wife of over 20 years, Andrea, and his son Robert; his mother E. Leslie Williams of Petersburg, Ohio, his sister Debbie Williams of Los Angeles, California; his brothers-in-law Peter Hammerschmidt of Midland, Michigan, and Jon (Carolyn) Hammerschmidt of Landenberg, Pennsylvania, his nieces Anna and Lauren Hammerschmidt of Landenberg, Pennsylvania; several aunts, uncles, and cousins; and his ever-faithful dogs Jupiter and Max.  He was preceded in death by his father, David E. Williams.  We give thanks to the Lord for the gift of having had Doug in our lives.  The family will have a private funeral service and graveside burial rites, The Rev. Robert Lindstrom will officiate.  A memorial celebration of Doug’s life will occur after we are allowed to gather together again.  Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider Autism Support for West Shore, Grand Rapids Art Museum - GRAM Foundation, and Friends of the East Grand Rapids Library.

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