OBITUARY: Ethan Max Williams

Friends of the late Ethan Max Williams, 8, may call on the family from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1, at the Wyoming United Methodist Church, 216 Wyoming Mill Road, Dover, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2.

Ethan died peacefully with his parents and step parents at his side Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010, at the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children following a courageous 14-month battle with diffuse pontine glioma, an inoperable brain tumor.

Born Aug. 8, 2001, in Dover, he was the son of D. Michael Williams of Dover and Michelle Valentine Burgess of Camden.

Ethan was a third-grader at the Allen Frear Elementary School, Camden, and a proud member of the Caesar Rodney Talented and Gifted Program. He was a kindergarten graduate of Calvary Christian Academy, Dover, and a cherished pupil of the Love and Learn Daycare Center, Dover.

He attended Sunday school and vacation Bible school at Wyoming United Methodist Church.
His other accomplishments included being chosen the Bow Country 2009 “Man of the Year,” and being an honorary member of the Leipsic Volunteer Fire Company and the Wyoming United Methodist Church softball team.

Ethan dearly loved baseball and played for the Dover Little League in the Tee Ball, Pee Wee, and Minor League programs. For his dedication, he was chosen to throw out the honorary first pitch to start the 2009 Little League season. Ethan was a huge fan of the Philadelphia Phillies, and his favorite player was second baseman Chase Utley, whom Ethan met in August 2009. He Ethan attended the fifth game of the 2009 World Series, when the Phillies beat the New York Yankees, 8 to 6, including two home runs by Utley.

Ethan always will be remembered as a very gifted student, amazing ball player, special friend and role model to many. He loved to collect coins, and spent many hours viewing and improving his cherished collection. He knew much more than most adults when it came to coin collecting, and always was eager to tell everybody about each of his pennies, nickels, and quarters. While spending time with his family he loved to play board games, card games, do math problems and draw pictures. Although his life was short, Ethan lived it to the fullest. No one ever will forget his jokes, impressions, and his amazing ability to touch the souls of everyone he met.

During the course of his illness, Ethan was treated to many special trips and privileges. These included the Philadelphia Phillies 2008 World Series Ring Ceremony game in April 2009, courtesy of the Front Row Foundation; attending a concert and meeting David Cook at the Delaware State Fair, courtesy of the Kelly Heinz-Grundner Brain Tumor Foundation; getting a personal tour of the Citizens Bank Park and meeting Chase Utley. He also was invited to drop the puck at a Philadelphia Phantoms hockey game. Only a week before his passing, Ethan and his family were treated to a Philadelphia Flyers game and sat in Captain Mike Richards’ suite to watch the game, courtesy of the Little Smiles Organization. Ethan also was also chosen a 2009 Delaware State Fair All-Star Youth of the Day.

Thanks to the generosity of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Ethan was granted a special trip to Florida with his parents, stepparents and brother Jake in September 2009. Highlights included attending three Phillies vs. Florida Marlins games, touring the Everglades and visiting and swimming at Miami Beach.

He was able to give the Gift of Life by donating his kidneys and corneas to patients in need. His liver was donated for research of the effects of chemotherapy and his tumor was given for research of possible new understanding and treatment of diffuse pontine glioma.

Ethan was preceded in death by his maternal great grandfathers, Johnny Valentine of Marietta, Ohio and Thomas O’Connor of Liverpool, England; his maternal great-grandmother, Florence O’Connor of Liverpool; his paternal great-grandparents, Harvey and Clara Fifer of Rising Sun and Dr. Arnold and Mildred Williams of Laurel; his maternal grandmother, Marina Valentine of Dover; his paternal grandfather, David R. Williams of Dover; and an uncle, Max Laird of Dover.
In addition to his parents, Ethan is survived by his stepfather, Jon Burgess and his step mother, Dawn Melson-Williams; a brother, Jacob Williams; and his stepbrother and stepsister, Alek and Arynne Burgess.

He also is survived on his mother’s side by his great-grandmother, Genevieve Valentine of Marietta; his grandfather, Charley Valentine of Dover; his aunts, Lisa Phillips and Karen Marvel of Dover and Julie Laird of Montague, Mass.; his uncle, Mark Valentine of Raleigh, N.C.; his cousins, Leah Keefe of Shutesbury, Mass., and Lauren Brewster of Dover; his great uncle, Charlie Batey of Dover; his stepgrandparents, Libby Burgess of Hampden, Mass., and Robert Burgess of Dover; and his step-aunts Betsy Duran of Oregon and Robin Burgess of Hampden.

Ethan is survived on his father’s side by his paternal grandmother, Yvonne Williams of Dover; his stepgrandparents, Frank E. Jr. and the Rev. Diane Melson of Bridgeville; his uncles, Jeff Williams and his wife, Tanya of Dover, and Greg Williams of Dover; his step aunt, Diana Zlock and her husband, Robert; and his cousins, Nathan Williams, Emma Zlock and Daniel Zlock.

Ethan also is survived by many other great aunts, great uncles, and cousins; his best friend, Seth Blanchfield; and his beloved dogs, Izzie, Oreo and Nutter Butter.

Interment will be in the Odd Fellows Cemetery, Camden.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Ethan’s name may be made to the Jacob Williams Education Fund, c/o the First National Bank of Wyoming, attn: Christina; 800 S. Governors Ave., Dover, DE 19904; or to the Wyoming United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 389, Wyoming, DE 19934-0389.

Letters of condolence may be sent via www.pippinfuneralhome.com.