It is with deep sadness that the family of Joel Wellington Williams announces his passing on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at the Montfort Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, at the age of 91 years.
Born on December 3, 1934, in the Pomeroon Region in the County of Essequibo in Guyana. He was the son of the late Clara Williams and Hubert Boston who have already predeceased him many years ago.
Following graduation from secondary school, Joel became interested in Law Enforcement, so he joined the Guyana Police Service and received training at the Police Academy in Georgetown.
Joel was posted to the Lenora Police Station on the West Coast Demerara and subsequently to the La Grange Police Station on the West Bank Demerara. During this period, he met and fell in love with his lifelong partner Figena Finch and joined her in Canada to continue their long life together.
In Canada, he changed his career path and pursued studies in Heating and Refrigeration (HVAC) and graduated from well-known Algonquin College. He secured work as a technician at Parson Refrigeration Company. From there he moved on to new opportunities in the same field at the Ottawa Experimental Farm of Agriculture Canada
Joel had a busy social life and was a member of the Ottawa Cricket Club, where he contributed to its administration, growth and stability. He was also a member of the GOCA (Guyana Ottawa Cultural Association) and was elected to serve for a term as its Vice-President. Finally, he was a life-long member of the Guyana Ex Police Association based in Toronto, Ontario.
Joel will be lovingly remembered by his family, relatives and friends in Canada, Guyana, the United States, England, the Caribbean and elsewhere.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral at Beechwood Cemetery, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, ON on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 1 pm, followed by the burial and reception until 4:30 pm.
Digital Guestbook
Moh Baksh
Jennifer Ramsaran
Condolences to the family.
Guyana Ottawa Cultural Association (GOCA)
Our deepest condolences to Figena, Brian, and the family and friends of Joel. We pray that you find the strength to get through this difficult time. May he Sleep In Eternal Peace. 🙏🏿
A lovely stately funeral service for Joel and an equally great obituary. May the memories of him bring joy and comfort enough to comfort his family as they mourn their loss. I ask his loved ones to remember that life is for the living, as they carry on with their own lives. Lots of love and hope to the family Joel has left behind.