Michael Douglas Williams Sr., master woodsman, passionate hunter, avid fisherman, picker of the best peaches, melons, and blackberries, entered into rest on May 1, 2007 to begin his next journey. He was born the eighth of ten children on March 15, 1941 in Portland, Ore. His family moved to Point Arena, later settling in Boonville, where he graduated from high school. He started his career working on the ranches in the area, then in the title insurance business, where he started out as a title researcher, retiring as a Senior Vice-President of First American Title. He returned to his first love, working in the woods, as a timber faller, dabbled in Real Estate, taught Real Estate Law at Mendocino College, and raised cattle. He worked over many a barbecue, sang in barbershop quartets, collected old bottles, served as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff under Reno Bartlomei, coached Little League baseball, was active in all of his children”s and grandchildren”s sports endeavors; he studied history, and would share his knowledge of the great outdoors with anyone who wanted to know.
He is survived by his wife, Eden Williams of Potter Valley; son, Michael and Jody Williams and grandchildren Trenton, Dylan, and Justin Williams of Lakeport; son, Shannon and Valerie Williams and granddaughters Jondea and Kenzie of Redwood Valley; stepson Ian and Danyna Harrison of Chula Vista; stepson, Christopher and Charity Harrison of Portsmouth, Va.; step-son, Phillip Harrison of Whidbey Island, Wash. and grandson, Dylan Smith of Lexington Park, Md.; stepdaughter, Lisa and Perry Bates and granddaughters, Lauren and Lindsay Davies, and Macee Bates of Ukiah; stepdaughter, Maria and Brandon Trumbo and grandchildren Michael, Giordan, and Lily of Mid-West City, Okla.; brother, Sidney and Francis Williams of Salem, Ore.; brother, Jack and Ruth Williams of Clackamas, Ore.; sister, Donna Linnell of Winston, Ore.; sister, Delores Hart of Helena, Mont.; former wife, Shirley and Ernie Blatner of Ukiah; daughter-in-law of the heart, Kris and Rick Schamber of Ukiah; sister-in-law, Karen Williams; and many very special nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and many great friends.
He was predeceased by his parents, Eunice and John Williams; brothers, David, Franklin and Daniel Williams; sisters, Mary Onthank and Kathleen Inman, long-time partner Sandra Fox, and his granddaughter Hannah Williams.
At his request, there will be no services; but if you wish to honor his life in some way, please support youth sports, encourage a child, plant a Dog-Wood tree, go hunting, fishing, or camping and take someone who has never had the opportunity, share your “Big Mike” stories with his family, contribute to Hospice, take a stand, be counted on, love completely, be good.
Arrangements by Jones Mortuary. To sign the online guestbook please visit www.jonesmortuary.com.
Please sign the guest book at www.record-bee.com. Click “Obituaries.”
(Published in the Record-Bee on Saturday, May 12, 2007.)
