WKCTC Mourns the Passing of Longtime Foundation Leader John D. Williams

Published on Nov 10, 2025

West Kentucky Community and Technical College announced Monday that John D. Williams, a longtime leader and supporter of the Paducah Junior College Foundation and WKCTC, died Nov. 10, 2025.

Williams’ decades of leadership and dedication to advancing higher education leave an enduring legacy at the college and throughout the Paducah community.

Williams joined the Paducah Junior College Board of Trustees in 2002 and served as chair five times, including three consecutive terms from 2015 through 2018. His steady guidance, thoughtful leadership and unwavering belief in the power of education helped shape the continued success of both the Foundation and WKCTC.

“John supported the college and students in many ways, serving as a former chair of the PJC Foundation and as a regular emcee and auctioneer at the college’s scholarship fundraising banquets for many years,” WKCTC President Anton Reece said. “At his core, John was student-focused and always asked how he could help. John will be dearly missed.”

Additional details about arrangements and opportunities to honor Williams’ life will be shared as they become available. WKCTC asks the community to keep his family and friends in their thoughts and prayers.