Obituary

On December 5, 2024, heaven received another angel. A warrior until his last breath, David Bruce Williams passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his wife Carla, kids, siblings, nieces and nephews, friends and family. He fought a long hard battle with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s but ultimately, the good Lord couldn’t wait any longer and Dave went home to catch the big one. “Willy” as his friends called him, was a Millwright at Georgia Pacific for 40 years and could build or fix absolutely anything. Upon retiring, he and wife Carla embarked on a new adventure in the pristine Methow Valley, where they built a beautiful log home on the Methow River. Dave spent countless hours floating and fishing the Methow and every other river that crossed his path.

Dave was born in Olean, New York, on October 29, 1948, to Donald and Mary (Snoddy) Williams. He was sister Karen’s second birthday gift and remained a gift to her all his 76 years. They were soon joined by brother Michael and sister Kelly before the family made the cross-country trek from Olean to Bellingham where their dad went to work for Mobil Oil in 1954. A few years later brother Wesley arrived, and the family grew up on Iron Street in Bellingham.

Dave was a star athlete at Bellingham High School, where he played 1st base for the Raiders and he continued his love of sports, including golfing, skiing, hunting and fishing, throughout most of his life. After graduating from BHS in 1966, Dave started his career at Georgia Pacific. He married his first wife Candace (Ceranova) Jones and in 1968 was drafted by the US Army when he took leave from GP to serve our country. Dave fought in the Vietnam War with the BlackHorse 11th Armored Cav Unit, during which he advanced to rank of Seargent and was awarded the Purple Heart and other commendations for meritorious service prior to his honorable discharge in 1970. Son Matt was born in February 1973 and daughter Katie was born November 1974. During time with his second wife Jeanne (Hansen) Occhiogrosso, the family spent many summer days waterskiing, camping, and fishing.

Following a brief escape to Hawaii in 1992, Dave returned to Bellingham and met Carla (Sullivan-Robert) Williams, the love of his life for over 30 years. Together they enjoyed all things outdoors–hiking, fishing, skiing, and boating. Besides his family, fishing was his passion and soul food, and his greatest loss throughout his last 10 years as he battled the diseases afflicting his body.

Dave joined Sacred Heart Catholic Church in 2002 where he and Carla served for several years before moving to Methow and developing 18 acres of property and building their log home.

They were embraced by their Church family at St Genevieve’s and their Methow community where many lasting friendships were forged. In 2016, as Dave’s health deteriorated, he and Carla returned to Bellingham to be close to family, friends, and dementia support resources.

Dave is survived by his wife Carla, son Matt (Carmen), daughter Katie (Micah) Gaston, stepdaughter Nicole Robert Ford, grandchildren Lucas and Hazel Gaston, Gianna Williams, stepchildren Dakota and Escher Ford, sisters Karen (Dick) Clark and Kelly, brother Wesley. He was preceded in death by parents Donald and Mary, brother Michael, and stepson Christopher Robert.

Carla and family are deeply grateful for the time Dave spent at Echo Valley Respite Home with Kris Mason and her care team where he felt secure and loved, always with a smile on his face. invaluable as well are ALL the family, friends, and community who supported, loved, and laughed with Dave as he prepared for his last cast upstream to heaven.

Funeral Mass and celebration of Dave’s life will be held on January 9, 2025 at 11:00am at Sacred Heart Church, 1110 14th Street, Bellingham. Immediately following will be a reception followed by Military Honors at Greenacres Memorial Park in Ferndale.

In lieu of flowers please consider donations to Dementia Support Northwest and/or Whatcom Hospice.