Allan Hughson

Owner, Licensed Class 1 Funeral Director

Allan was raised in Aylmer, Ontario by his parents Joyce and Gordon Hughson. His family owned and operated Hughson Funeral Home in Aylmer for twenty one years and then moved to St. Thomas in 1966 when they purchased Williams Funeral Home. Allan knew at a very young age that he had a passion for helping people. His empathy for others combined with the knowledge from growing up in a family run business led him to pursue a career in the Funeral Service Industry. Allan, a graduate of Humber College, was honoured to take over his father’s business with his brother Gary and continue the long-standing tradition of dedication and service that their father had established. Allan lives in the St. Thomas community with his wife Kim; They have four children, also living in the St. Thomas and surrounding area. He has been working in the funeral service industry for over 40 years and proudly serving St. Thomas-Elgin community for over 37 years as a licensed funeral director and could not imagine living or working in a better community.

Dave Gifford

Licensed Class 1 Funeral Director

Dave was born and raised in the St. Thomas community, son of Sheila and Ken Gifford and continues to live in St. Thomas with his wife Heather. Dave has been with Williams since 2000 and has been a fully licensed Funeral Director since 2003. Past experience includes volunteering with Port Stanley and Yarmouth Center Central Elgin Fire Departments.

David now offers his time as the lead embalmer at both the University of Western Ontario and University of Waterloo Body Bequeathal Program, for Anatomical Research. 

Matt Hughson

Licensed Class 1 Funeral Director

Matt was born and raised in the St. Thomas community, son of Allan and Kim Hughson, and currently resides in Port Stanley with his wife Jenn and their daughter Blake. Matt's past experience includes sporting equipment design in the Toronto area before his passion shifted to serving his local community. Matt sets his sights on upholding the passion, tradition, and care the Williams name represents.

Caylie Grech

Licensed Class 1 Funeral Director

Alexandra “Ali” (Hughson) Harris

Office Manager, Licensed Pre-Planner

Ali was born and raised in St. Thomas, daughter of Allan and Kim Hughson. She resides in the beautiful village of Port Stanley with her spouse, Tyler and three children, Kallan, Vayda and Vonne. She is a graduate of Parkside Collegiate Institute, Wilfred Laurier University and Fanshawe College. Growing up in a funeral service family, Ali learned early on the importance of giving back to her community and what a privilege it is to serve the members of the community in which she lives and works.

Chara Adema-Beith

Licensed Class 1 Funeral Director

Having grown up in Michigan, Alberta, the Philippines, and Ontario, Chara now resides in London with her beautiful wife, Rebecca. Chara attended Humber College, and became a fully licensed Funeral Director in 2016. She is now proud to serve the St. Thomas community, having joined the William's team in 2023. Chara is committed to the highest standards of the funeral profession, showing compassion to the bereaved and respect for those who have passed on. She considers it a privilege to assist families in their time of sorrow and remembrance.

Todd Ruddock

Funeral Director’s Assistant, Maintenance Supervisor

Todd was born and raised near the rural community of Sparta where he continues to live with his wife and son. The son of Malcolm and Donna Rust and the late Wayne Ruddock. Todd is a graduate of Parkside Collegiate Institute and attended Sir Sandford Fleming College in Lindsay ON. He began working for Williams in 1996. From 2000-2012, Todd enjoyed the opportunity to experience the retail side of one of his passions, motorcycles. Working for G+G Motorcycles ltd. and Forest City Honda in London. In 2013, Todd returned to Williams and once again appreciates the opportunity to serve the St. Thomas-Elgin Community. Todd feels right at home with the team at Williams as they all share compassion and empathy and the willingness to lend a helping hand or a comforting hug to those in need.