Former Johns Creek Employee Loses Battle With Cancer

JOHNS CREEK, GA -- The city of Johns Creek is mourning the loss of one of its former employees. Former Community Development Director Michael Williams died Thursday after an extended battle with cancer, his obituary said.

Williams served with the city since its incorporation in 2006 until he retired in 2014, the city said on its Facebook page.

"He is remembered as a model public servant, a great leader and a wonderful person," the city added. "Our condolences go out to his family and friends. He will be missed."

Mayor Mike Bodker is scheduled to attend a memorial service at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17 at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Tucker (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app).

According to the obituary, Williams was born in Atlanta and a graduate of Fulton High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in geography from the former West Georgia College and a master's degree in city planning from the University of Southern Mississippi. He got his start in government in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, but returned to the Atlanta area in 1984 and worked briefly for Fulton County. He moved on to Gwinnett County where he retired as director of development in 2006.

Williams then became Johns Creek's first director of community development and after his retirement, served as chairman of the city of Tucker's Planning Commission. He served in that capacity through July of this year.

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He is survived by wife, Margaret; son, Scott; daughter, Susan; and many cousins around metro Atlanta. In his spare time, he loved golfing, gardening, performing work around the house and attending concerts.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be donated in Williams’ memory to the American Red Cross or St. Andrews Presbyterian Church.

Image via city of Johns Creek