David Edward Williams

David Edward Williams, 79, died October 27, 2018 in Idaho Falls, ID.

He was born August 8, 1939 in Yoncalla, OR, he was the son of the late Edward & Mabel Pearce Williams. Directions to his childhood home were: drive 7 miles out of town to the end of the county road, then drive 5 more miles, then walk 1 mile. When Dave started school his family moved to the end of that county road so he could ride the bus. After graduating from Yoncalla High School he served 3 years in the Navy.

On September 1, 1961 he married Jeannie Alexis Morris, his wife of 57 years.
He graduated from Oregon Technical Institute in 1963, worked for the Federal Highway Administration 1963-1975, then for the Forest Service 1975-1988. After retiring from the Forest Service he worked a variety of part-time jobs until he was 75 years old but his favorite by far was with the Forest Service fighting wild land fires until he was 65 years old. He also led a crew in Texas in 2003 cleaning up after the Space Shuttle Columbia accident.

He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where he served in 3 Bishoprics as well as many other callings over the years. He spent many years working with young men in the Boy Scouts of America as Scout Master and other positions. He helped more than 20 boys build bridges, shelters and improve trails in the Umpqua National Forest to earn their Eagle Scout award. For this service he earned national recognition and award.

Dave is survived by his wife of Shelley, ID; son Trent Williams of UT; daughter Tristin Judy & Dell Judy of Shelley, ID; daughter Tiffanie Williams & Joe Simons of Cottage Grove, OR; brother George Williams of Oregon; 18 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his daughter Travis Smith and sisters Bobbie Doran & Sharon Williams.

Dave touched many lives and left a great legacy for his posterity.

Funeral services will be 11:00 am Saturday, November 3, 2018 at the Shelley South Stake Center (675 S Milton Ave.). The family will meet with friends Friday evening from 6:00 till 7:30 P.M. at Nalder Funeral Home (110 West Oak) in Shelley and Saturday morning 9:30 till 10:40 A.M. at the church. Burial will be in the Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery with military rites by David B. Bleak Post 93.