~ Obituary ~
David Willis Williams.
David Willis Williams died peacefully from Glioblastoma Multiforme cancerous brain tumor on February 3, 2009; he was 72. He is survived by his girlfriend of over 12 years Louanne Hill of Santa Cruz, CA; his son Rick Williams and wife Jada of Watsonville, CA; his daughter Rechelle Munoz and partner Frank Billy of Eureka, CA; his son Robert Williams and wife Margarita of Round Rock, Texas; his "other" daughter Rhonda Simpson and husband Scott of Austin, Texas; his grandchildren Sean, Brandon, Stephanie, Ryan, Lindsay, Victoria, Victor, Javier, Tavyan, Adrien, Amber, Lauren and Steven; his brother Dick Williams of Oroville, CA; his Aunt Alta Comfort of Mt. Hermon, CA and many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends; his parents and an infant brother preceded him in death.
David was born on May 1, 1936 in Santa Cruz, CA. His mother, father and grandparents moved to Santa Cruz in the 1910s. David served in the National Guard during the mid-50s. He married Mary Lucile Campbell on October 16, 1965 and they had three children together before divorcing in 1968. In 1973 Mary died in a tragic vehicle accident and he was faced with raising his 3 young children. David took on the responsibility of being both father and mother without question. David worked for Lockheed and Sylvania in the Santa Cruz area for several years. Then about 1969, and for the next 30 years, he owned and operated Williams' Redwood Planters manufacturing redwood planters for nurseries across California. He found that it was best to continue this work as he was able to do so from the family residence in Scotts Valley, CA. He prepared his children for school each day, and was home waiting for them upon their return. While money was tight his children were never burdened and life was good.
David enjoyed life and once took his homemade hydroplane boat down the Salinas River. David had many friends throughout Santa Cruz and across the country. In 1986 after his youngest son finished high school he left for a two month trip across the United States with long time friends Harold Pricket and Joyce Wood. While traveling, the trio stopped at local libraries and historical centers to look up ancestors as David had gotten a bit of the genealogy bug. He went to Williamsburg, Iowa to visit the town his great grandfather Richard Williams had founded in 1854. He traveled to Murray, Kentucky to visit friends Don and Kathy Flemming, whom he had know for decades. He made additional trips in his motor home across the country during the following years, all the while taking numerous photographs of his journeys.
David took his first cruise with his girlfriend Louanne Hill to Alaska. The cruise was a dream come true as he had long wished to visit Alaska. He enjoyed the trip immensely and spoke of it often when showing family and friends the many photos he took while on the cruise. His second cruise was to Mexico with Louanne and his daughter Rechelle, her daughter Lindsay, and his son Robert, his wife Margarita and their children Javier, Tavyan and Adrien. The cruise was a highlight of David's life; he enjoyed visiting the various ports in Mexico and spending much time with his grandchildren.
In retirement David moved to Coffee Creek, CA in the Trinity Alps where he had purchased a modest home on the Trinity River. David enjoyed the beauty that surrounded him and spent many hours hiking the river banks, taking a motorcycle ride up a dirt trail, and even horseback riding through the trees. He gained many friends in Coffee Creek and the surrounding area and he will be missed by his "burn-barrel" buddies.
David was a wonderful, kind, caring man. He was honest and humble. David has left a void in the lives of those who loved him, those who's lives he touched are better because of him, and he will forever be missed.
Services will be Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. at Oakwood Memorial Chapel, 3301 Paul Sweet Road, Santa Cruz, CA. A Reception will follow at the same location. All who knew David are encouraged to attend.
In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation in the name of David Willis Williams be made to either UCSF Foundation, Box 45339, San Francisco , CA 94143-0339 or Hospice Of Humboldt County, 2010 Myrtle Avenue, Eureka, CA 95501.
The family also wishes to extend a thank you to Frank Billy who selflessly helped David during his final months of life.
Appeared in the Santa Cruz Sentinel, Santa Cruz, California
Friday, February
13, 2009, page A6 and Saturday, February 14, 2009, page A10
[Interment took place in the Williams' family plot at Oakwood Memorial Park, Santa Cruz, CA, Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 11:00 A.M.]
Williams Family: California & Texas, copyright © 2009