Following the recent death of Jonathan Nicholas Stephen Williams, who lived in Woodford Green for over 35 years, his children Kate Good and Raj Williams reflect on a life of teaching and a life well lived
Born on 18 December 1950 in Epping, Jonathan Nicholas Stephen Williams was the eldest of two siblings. With one great uncle serving as the Governor of the White Nile in modern-day Sudan, it would seem that Jon was descended on his mother Majorie’s side from a rather illustrious family.
From the start of his education, Jon proved to be a rebellious soul, constantly jumping the fence from his primary school into his own back garden in Lower Swaines, Epping, to avoid having to actually attend! This theme continued in later years when he won a scholarship to Chigwell School, but didn’t quite feel the public school ethos suited him. He promptly left and moved to Latton Bush, a comprehensive school in Harlow.
In 1980, two events marked significant milestones in Jon’s life: he married his fiancée with whom he had been in a relationship since 1976, and he acquired his first teaching job at St Aubyn’s School in Woodford after graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Humanities in 1978. Jon taught at the school for an impressive 17 years. After that, he did some supply teaching at an array of local schools and eventually took up a post at Snaresbrook Primary School, where he spent many happy years. He would often compose a limerick for colleagues moving on to greener pastures. When he retired, he passed the baton to his daughter, who took over his role in January 2011.
Jon’s family can attest to the way in which, on several past occasions while they were out driving in the local area or out for a coffee, previous students of Jon’s approached him and thanked him for the positive impact he had had on their education.
No day would be complete without a trip to Waitrose in South Woodford, where Jon befriended most of the staff, including the security team. Conscious of promoting safety in the local area, he was also an avid member of his neighbourhood WhatsApp group and forged friendships with many of his neighbours, even buying groceries and a newspaper on behalf of one particular elderly friend and neighbour around the crescent. He equally pursued a love of tennis, keeping up with regular visits to his tennis club, at first in Walthamstow, then later in Theydon Bois, where he formed and nurtured several close-knit friendships.
Jon was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2013 and underwent an operation in 2014 followed by further surgery in 2017. He battled valiantly, never surrendering, and he remained determined to maintain his independence until the bitter end. Jon passed away on 2 January 2025. His generous spirit, sharp wit, fierce intellect and the fortitude with which he navigated his cancer diagnosis are the key qualities for which those who knew and continue to love him will best remember him.
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