WILLIAMSTOWN -- John McWilliams III, 87, of 1611 Cold Spring Road, formerly of Hancock Road in Williamstown, died Monday at Sweet Brook Health Care Center. He was a former civic leader in Williamstown.

Born in Santa Barbara, Calif., on Aug. 27, 1914, son of John and Caro Weston McWilliams, he received his education at Polytechnic Elementary School, Los Alamos Ranch School and Lake Forest, Ill., Academy.

An Army veteran of World War II, he served as a first lieutenant in the Yankee Division in Europe. He was decorated with the Bronze Medal and the Purple Heart.

He moved to Pittsfield in 1940 and then to Williamstown.

He was employed by Byron Weston Paper Co. in Dalton and became vice president. He was later vice president of Krofta Engineering Corp. in Lenox until his retirement. Following his retirement, he moved to Reading, Vt., and then to Woodstock, Vt.

Mr. McWilliams was a former member and past chairman of the Williamstown Planning Commission, former member of the Finance Committee and Conservation Commission. He was a former volunteer for the Williamstown Community Chest.

An avid horseman, he was active in the Green Mountain Horse Association, having completed the 100-mile trail ride several times. He also helped establish the croquet association at the Woodstock Country Club. He was a master woodworker and craftsman, and an amateur investor.

He leaves his wife, the former Josephine Gay Smith, whom he married June 26, 1940, in Pasadena, Calif.; two daughters, Carol Gibson of Hartland, Vt., and Patricia Lane of Middletown Springs, Vt.; two sons, John McWilliams of Atlanta and David McWilliams of Stafford, Vt.; two sisters, Julia Child of Santa Barbara, Calif., and Dorothy Cousin of Sausalito, Calif., and eight grandchildren.

FUNERAL NOTICE -- A memorial service to celebrate the life of John McWilliams III will take place Thursday, April 25, at 11 a.m. at St. James' Church in Woodstock, Vt. Burial will take place at a later date. There are no calling hours. Memorial donations are suggested for the Mertens House, 73 River St., Woodstock, VT 05091, the Parkinson Disease Foundation, 710 West 168th St., New York, N.Y. 10032-9982, or to the Green Mountain Horse Association, South Woodstock, VT 05071. FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, is in charge of arrangements.

John Mcwilliams I