John Bryn Williams, 76

John Bryn Williams, 76, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2026, at Alfredo Gonzalez Veterans’ Home in McAllen, Texas.  His sister, Gretchen, was by his side as he journeyed from this life into the next.

Bryn was born in Warroad, Minnesota, on March 18, 1949, to Cecil and Joyce (Jensen) Williams.  He was raised in Baudette, Minnesota, and loved spending time with his cousins and friends growing up at the family cabin on the Rainy River.  Bryn never missed an opportunity to spend a week or two at the Jensen home in Roseau during the fair time in July. He also enjoyed helping his aunt and uncle and cousins on the family farm. In the fall, the family would move back into Baudette to spend the winters in close proximity of relatives and friends.

When Bryn reached his junior year in high school, he moved to Mahomet, Illinois, to live with his sister and brother-in-law, Cecily and Larry Barker. He graduated from Mahomet High School and entered an automotive mechanics school in Decatur, Illinois. 

In January 1969, Bryn enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was stationed at several places in the states and also served a year at Ubon, Thailand, as a jet mechanic, during the Vietnam War.  After four years, Sargent Williams was honorably discharged.  Bryn lived in St. Louis and Cape Girardeau, Missouri, before making his permanent home in the Houston, Texas area.  He worked for several years as a mechanic and millwright until his retirement at age 70.

Bryn enjoyed music all of his life, and his hobbies reflected that love.  He played the banjo and performed with a jubilee banjo group for a number of years in the Houston area. He also was a bass guitarist and enjoyed performing with a local Houston band.  He also loved Western Swing Dance and competed a number of years at competitions in several states. His mantle and walls were covered with his trophies and plaques that he received at those competitions.  Nearing his retirement, Bryn decided to take up a new hobby and purchased a brand new 2017 Harley Davidson motorcycle. He was proud of that bike and rode it whenever he had a chance.

Bryn is survived by his daughter, Virginia Dailey Lee (Jeremiah), one Granddaughter, Sloane, a sister, Gretchen Thompson (Jim), a niece, Sarah Barker Villmer (John), two step nephews, Jason and Justin Thompson, and special friends Cesar and Grace Reyes. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Cecil and Joyce (Jensen) Williams, his sister, Cecily Barker, his grandparents, and many aunts and uncles, as well as a few cousins.

A celebration of life will take place in his hometown of Baudette, MN, this summer.