Gerald Duane Williams

Gerald (Jerry) Duane Williams, 90, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at Autumn House in Williamsburg, Michigan, from diabetes-related osteomyelitis ~ with both his children at his side. Jerry was born on April 6, 1934, in Longview, WA, to parents Ynola (Lee) and Francis Robert Williams. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Derwin. He leaves behind to treasure the memory of him…his wife of fifty years, Elizabeth Williams; two children: Deanna Szumera (John) and Robert Williams (Robin); six grandchildren: Eli Szumera, Tyler Williams (Nicoleta), Katie Rosa (Reese), Brandon Williams, Brent Thomson (Rashea), and Brad Thomson (Emilie); three great-grandchildren: Dominic, Madison, and Lilliana; and also his youngest brother, Kent Williams (Stephanie). Jerry grew up in the modest logging town of Longview, WA, with fond memories of a loving family and a happy childhood. He served in the U. S. Army from 1954-1957 and spoke often of his time and post in Whittier, Alaska, where he worked on a machine-shop barge maintaining harbor tugs. He retired from Airborne Freight Delivery after a steadfast career of thirty years. In his time away from work, Jerry was a self-taught handyman... completing numerous large and small-scale home design projects. He also enjoyed landscaping, reading, classical music, going to the movies, and most of all, traveling to visit his faraway children and grandchildren. Jerry was characterized by a quick-witted, story-telling mind that listened well and remembered with exceptional keenness, details from the smallest interaction with a person. He possessed an easy and natural gift of making the ‘least of these’ feel the most important. He loved to tease... and his happiest moments were sitting back... arms folded... watching the fruits of his latest shenanigan unfold... chuckling proudly ( at :) himself. He served... and sacrificed... with a selfless generosity of time and gift. His routine, unassuming, acts of service and sacrifice will be missed profoundly by those who knew our father best. He touched the lives of many with his tender kindnesses and gentlemanly manners of a bygone era. Though our hearts ache deeply at the loss of a man who never recognized the scope of his impact…we celebrate ~ that by divine appointment, Gerald Williams was to us, BELOVED…husband, father, grandfather, neighbor, brother, uncle, son…FAITHFUL IN ALL, TO HIS LAST. On January 9, 2025, Jerry accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. That is the day his smile changed. We celebrate and rest in the knowledge of that… "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Revelation 21:4 A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 2:00 at Bonaventure Assisted-Living Facility of Puyallup: 14503 Meridian E. Puyallup, WA 98375 (theatre suite, second level)

Gerald Duane Williams

April 6, 1934 - February 25, 2025