MICHAEL B. WILLIAMS

1942 - 2011

Michael B. Williams, 68, passed away at his home in Jacobson, Minnesota on January 23, 2011 with his wife, Patricia, at his side.

He was born in Montevideo, Minnesota, May 20, 1942 to Arthur and Evelyn Marholz Williams. The family lived in Sacred Heart, Minnesota until Michael was six. They moved to Sedro-Woolley, WA where he attended school, graduating from SWHS in 1960.

Michael learned to hunt, fish and trap in Sedro-Woolley. Since he loved it so much he was good at it. Probably better than most. These activities became an important part of his life as a boy and continued throughout his life in both WA and MN.

As a young boy in Sedro-Woolley, Michael was a Boy Scout and his family belonged to the Lutheran Church. He earned the Pro Deo El Patria award through the Lutheran church. It is Latin and it means "For God and Country."

Michael was indeed a patriot. He loved his country. He believed strongly in the US Constitution. So living on that principle, he joined the USAF in October 1960. One thing Michael always said is that you didn't know where your next deployment was going to be. So you always looked forward to it. He served in San Antonio and Amarillo, TX; in Spokane, WA; in Sacramento, CA and overseas in Adana, Turkey; and in Pleiku, Vietnam during the Vietnamese War.

In 1968 Michael was discharged from the USAF. Mike and his family moved back to Washington and then later to Minnesota. He became a police officer in Montevideo, Minnesota. But his nation called him again and he reenlisted in the US Navy in June, 1972. He was stationed in San Diego, CA; Fallon, Nevada; Rota, Spain. He served as a navy recruiter in the Milwaukee, WA area. He served aboard the USS Independence and the USS Carl Vinson. His final deployment was to Adak, Alaska. He retired from the US Navy in January, 1986.

Since then, he and Patricia have lived in Jacobson, Minnesota where Mike enjoyed hunting, fishing and trapping.

Michael was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Michael was preceded in death by his mother and father.

He is survived by his wife Patricia of 48 years; his son Michael Troy Williams of Grand Rapids, MN; his daughter, Jana Flewelling (Jason) of Silverdale, WA; siblings Patti Williams of Westminister, CO; Paula Sage of Burlington, WA; Wayne Williams (Pat) of Vancouver, WA; Phyllis Kilmer, of Edina, MN; Steven (Coreen) Williams of Spicer, MN; and Bill Williams of Knoxville, IA. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Derrik, Matthew and Danielle; he is also survived by two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 29, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints in Grand Rapids, MN.

A special thank you to Itasca Hospice Foundation, PO Box 853, Grand Rapids, MN 55744.