Ronald (Ron) Lee Williams, 76, of Fishers passed away in his home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, February 28, 2023. He was born in Richmond, Indiana on July 13, 1946, to Frank Williams, Jr. and Ruth (Goodwin) Williams. Ron grew up in Dalton, Indiana and graduated from Hagerstown High School (1964) where he met Linda, his best friend and partner for life. They attended Indiana University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology. He remained a Hoosier fan for life and was very pleased that both of his children and his two older granddaughters graduated from Indiana University. While attending the University of South Florida he married Linda on June 8th, 1971. He obtained his Master of Science degree in Mammalogy and Physiology in 1972. Ron and Linda returned to Indiana, and eventually settled in Fishers, where they built their home, created their garden, and raised their children. Ron established his career in sales and owned Apex Indianapolis until his retirement in 2019.

To many who knew Ron, “Ron and Linda” was one word. Besides his family, Ron had many joys including gardening, travelling, and collecting. He created a magical garden at his home full of artifacts found on trips. Ron and Linda loved sharing their garden on tours and entertaining friends. He loved the fact that his granddaughters thought it was created just for them, and he was delighted that all four granddaughters were involved in garden tours.

His love of gardens and gardening led Ron to serve as an officer in several organizations including the Indianapolis Hosta Society, the American Hosta Society, Indiana Orchid Society, and most recently the American Boxwood Society where he was serving as vice President. One of his proudest accomplishments was serving on the board of the Ambassador House and Heritage Gardens in Fishers, Indiana where he was instrumental in procuring a huge number of plants for the garden. He also helped to establish the Madelyn F. Elder orchid collection at Newfields.

His love of travel was shared with many when he and his wife established Garden Travelers, a company that planned tours of European gardens. For over twenty-five years they coordinated tours of historical European gardens and private sites. Ron was a student of garden history and history in general and loved sharing his knowledge with friends and family, or anyone who would listen. One of his favorite things was taking someone to Europe for the first time and surprising them with something special. Although he loved all travel, his favorite country was Italy. It made him extremely happy that he was able to share some of his favorite spots with all four of his granddaughters. They were indeed the light of his life.

Ron is survived by his wife of more than fifty years, Linda (Hays); his son Bryce (Kim) Williams of Fishers; granddaughters Sydney Williams and Morgan Williams; his daughter Kristen (Will) Kinnamon of Fredericksburg, Va; granddaughters Evelyn (Ellie) Kinnamon and Emma Kinnamon; one brother Dick Williams of Tucson, Az. He will also be missed by many friends and those that he traveled with over the years.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Tom Williams; and his favorite cat Simba.

Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00PM on Sunday, April 16, 2023 at the Historic Ambassador House and Heritage Gardens (10598 Eller Road, Fishers, IN 46038).