Caring for Others

For Dr. George and Claudia Williams, caring for others isn’t just what they do—it’s who they are. As a dentist and a nurse, they’ve devoted their careers to improving the health and well-being of others, guided by compassion, faith and purpose.

Their commitment to service extends well beyond the walls of their workplaces. Whether volunteering at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, supporting Mercy Hospital or staying involved in their children and grandchildren’s schools, the Williams have long viewed community engagement as an essential part of life.

Throughout their lives, George and Claudia were surrounded by mentors who modeled what it means to lead with generosity and intention. Those examples continue to influence not only how they live, but how they give.

“Our mentors have inspired us not through words alone, but through the example they set in their everyday actions,” shared George.

“Leadership has always been an important part of our work. People look to us for guidance, and we see giving back as a continuation of that calling.”

Both born and raised in Stark County, George and Claudia have built meaningful careers rooted in service. After earning advanced degrees from The Ohio State University and completing his residency at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cleveland, George returned home to establish Williams & Johnson Family Dental in Canton in 1982. In addition to dentistry, he serves as a lector and eucharistic minister at St. Michael’s, is active in the Lebanese American Association and helped found the Patriot Dinner Club.

Claudia’s story, too, is shaped by a deep commitment to care and connection. As a nurse at Mercy Hospital for more than 35 years, she has combined compassionate patient care with leadership, serving as president of the Northeastern Ohio Peri-Anesthesia Nurses Association and staying involved in professional and volunteer organizations across the region.

In 2021, the couple found a new way to give back when their professional advisor recommended establishing a Donor Advised Fund at Stark Community Foundation. Through the George and Claudia Williams Charitable Foundation, they’ve streamlined their giving while continuing to invest in Stark County’s future by supporting health and medical initiatives, their church and other meaningful community programs.

“We feel we are not only giving back to the community that has given us so much, but also strengthening our ongoing commitment to Stark County and its future,” they shared.

Among the causes closest to their hearts are St. Michael’s Catholic Church—where Father Benson’s message of faith in action inspires them—and Mercy Hospital’s General Dental Residency Program, which provides essential care while training new dental professionals. Since 2007, the residency program has strengthened clinical skills and expanded access to dental care for individuals and families who might otherwise have difficulty accessing treatment. George serves as attending faculty and enjoys mentoring residents in the program.

“Being healthcare providers, we’ve always felt called to help enhance and improve the lives of our patients and our community,” said Claudia. “We’ve been blessed with wonderful professions that allow us to share our gifts and contribute to the well-being of others.”

The Williams take pride in knowing their children—George, John, Marisa and Teresa—will eventually carry forward their family’s legacy of care, faith and community. 

“Our children were raised to be leaders,” George added. “They’ve seen how generosity can strengthen a community, and we hope they’ll carry those values forward for years to come.”

Through their giving, George and Claudia are not only improving lives today—they’re helping build a healthier, more compassionate future for generations to come.