Steve Williams, 60, the longtime, hands-on manager at White Birch Farm in New Jersey, passed away on Sunday morning (Oct. 21), reportedly suffering a heart attack. He had attended the Breeders Crown eliminations at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono the night before.

Williams was responsible for the foaling and raising of such champion harness horses as Bee A Magician and Captaintreacherous, and the pacing mare Darlins Delight. He had been enjoying watching the sons and daughters of Captaintreacherous on the track this year and was in Lexington to see White Birch see success in selling part of its yearling crop.

Trot Insider has received an obituary for Steve, which also states that a memorial service is in the works, but details have yet to be announced. The contents of the obituary appear below. Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Steve Williams.

Steven F. Williams, White Birch Farms manager, passed away suddenly on October 21, 2018, while attending the Breeders Crown in the Poconos. Born 5/2/58 in Fairfield, Iowa, he is survived by his sons, Joseph D. Williams (21) and Steven J. Williams (20). He also is survived by his brother Jim Williams of Fairfield, Iowa and sister JoAnn Wray of Columbia, Missouri. He also leaves behind hundreds of friends in the Standardbred community and beyond.

Steve caught the harness racing bug and started his career at 18. Through the years he grew from a groom to a trainer developing top horses. At White Birch Farm as the farm manager he found a true passion bringing young horses into the world and overseeing their development. After the passing of his friend and farm owner Mike Parisi, Steve took on the responsibility of keeping the farm moving forward and he did just that. These past two years have been amazing for the farm and Steve had just returned home from the best sale in the farm’s history. With still 14 yearlings left to sell in two weeks, everyone could tell just how proud Steve was with his accomplishments! Although he was always most proud of his own boys, his equine children were something he could share with the hundreds of true friend he made along his journey.

ARRANGEMENTS

Joseph and Steven Williams have arranged an evening celebrating the life of their dad, Steve Williams.

It will be held November 17, 2018 at the Meadowlands Racetrack in the Skybox area from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. People will have a chance to share memories of Steve, in a place where he had many fond memories.

A website has been set up to share messages with Steve’s family and friends. To head to the website, click here.

(With files from harnessracing.com)