Very sad news has reached us via email:

It is with sadness that we have to announce the death of John “Johnny Ice Cream” Williams.

John was taken from this life on August 19, 2024, after a brief illness. He was a good, kindhearted and charitable man, and never was without his own sense of humor. He was a generous, good natured soul, and the world is a less kind place now that he is gone. He would gladly give anyone in need the shirt off his back. He remains only in the memory of those who knew him, and in the memories of race fans throughout New Jersey over the last 4 decades.

John grew up in family of race fans, and was quick to become involved in a way that gave him access to tracks and races all over New Jersey and beyond, and in large oval circuits from Pocono to Daytona, and his beloved NASCAR and Winston Cup series. He truly loved the races, and found that he could earn money and access by working for the various vendors that sold food and refreshments and of course Ice Cream. An entrepreneurial young man, indeed. He worked hard, and had a long successful career at Berry Global, an international plastics firm where he performed his duties for 40 years. If you have ever used a spice that was packaged in a plastic jar, it's entirely possible that John may have handled that jar.
 
His true legacy lives in his favorite New Jersey race tracks, Flemington Speedway, where he was part of the Speedway Historical Society, and the New Egypt Speedway, where he was always part of Legends Night, along with Wall Stadium Speedway, East Windsor, Hightstown, Nazareth, Old Bridge, and Reading. He was especially proud of being recognized with the BOBBY THOMAS SPIRIT OF THE SPORT AWARD presented by the Garden State Vintage Stock Car Club.
 
John sold food and refreshments in the stands, but is most famously known for his shouts above the speeding race cars, “HEY, ICE CREAM, ICE CREAM HERE, GET YOUR IC CREAM”, and hence, the legacy of Johnny Ice Cream was born. Some also affectionately know him as Ice Cream Johnny, but he personally loved the recognition of Johnny Ice Cream! It is that adulation and recognition that he so cherished as his memories sadly faded, much like the roar of the engines and the cheering of the crowds have been lost to time across racetracks around the state.
 
We will miss you Johnny Ice Cream, and keep a few frozen Ice Creams ready for when we meet again.
 
Rest in Peace, Johnny.
John V. “Johnny Ice Cream” Williams
March 1956 – August 2024