JOHN JOSEPH WILLIAMS

4/18/1945 – 2/9/2026

John Joseph Williams, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, was born on April 18, 1945, in Needles, California, and passed away on February 9, 2026, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His life was defined by curiosity, ingenuity, humor, and a deep devotion to his family.

After graduating from high school, during the Vietnam War era, John chose to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Army for three years. This period of service shaped his sense of discipline, independence, and commitment to standing up for what he believed in.

Following his military service, John pursued higher education. He earned a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso. It was in El Paso that he met Laurencia Garcia, the woman who would become his wife and lifelong companion. Their marriage was marked by mutual respect, shared adventures, and unwavering support.

John and Laurencia raised three children: Laurie, Cliff, and Melanie. As a young father, John delighted in playing tennis with his wife and kids. He valued time spent together more than anything and was happiest when surrounded by his family. He later became a grandfather to five grandchildren—Victoria, Mark, Angela, Shane, and James—each of whom he cherished and encouraged in their own paths. He also leaves behind a great grandchild, Justin.

John himself once said, “I accomplished many great things—much of it made possible because of the love and support I received from my wife, Laurencia.” In these words, he summed up not only his gratitude, but the heart of his life. Laurencia was the love of his life and true partner in all things.

Known within the family for his endless stream of corny dad jokes, John could make people laugh, groan, or shake their heads with equal ease. His humor could be cringeworthy and sometimes tasteless, but it was always part of his way of connecting with the people he loved. Beneath the jokes was a kind heart, a quick mind, and a deep belief in the power of education and knowledge.

In the early 2000s, during a family gathering, John suggested a game of croquet. What began as a simple activity quickly became a treasured tradition. The family took their croquet sets to local parks, turning ordinary days into lively tournaments filled with friendly rivalries and laughter. Croquet grew into the top family tradition for more than 20 years and continues to this day.

Professionally, John was a bold and unconventional thinker. He created and ran three businesses, the most notable being Consumertronics. He authored and published more than 150 technical manuals and books. Many of these works offered creative “life hacks” and unconventional ways to save money. Staunchly anti-authoritarian and fond of “sticking it to the man,” John did not shy away from controversy. His most successful publication, “Stopping Power Meters,” described methods to slow down home electrical meters to illegally reduce electricity bills. The publication drew national attention and led to an interview with Mike Wallace on the television program 60 Minutes in the late 1970s. The publicity sparked a surge in demand for his publications and became the primary source of his livelihood.

Beyond writing, John was a prolific inventor. He designed over 100 novel electronic devices, always searching for more efficient ways to help people tackle both everyday and complex technical tasks. He also created or modified more than 100 tools. He enjoyed a lifetime spent tinkering, experimenting, and building. 

One of John’s favorite intellectual pursuits was his personal theory about how Khufu’s Great Pyramid in Egypt was built. Disputing mainstream explanations, he proposed that the pyramid’s construction relied on a near-central hydraulic elevator system to lift stones, workers, and tools to the working surfaces. He was convinced that his theory accounted for the pyramid’s major chambers, passageways, and internal structures.

John took great pride in the creativity and rigor of his ideas. Of his many theories, one of his favorites was his theory that the cause of all aging was cosmic radiation (particles) that emanate from our sun and other stars.

John Joseph Williams is remembered with affection and admiration by those who knew him—as a veteran, an engineer, an inventor, an author, a jokester, and above all, a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. His legacy lives on min the lives he touched, the minds he inspired, and the family traditions that continue in his honor.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the caring and compassionate professionals at

Trujillo Family Funeral Home

"Our Family Serving Yours"