Fred Y. Williams

1934 - 2024

Fred Y. Williams left this world on April 9, 2024 at the age of 90. Born February 12. 1934, during the Great Depression, to F.Y. (Yale) Williams and Claire A. Williams, both essentially life-long residents of Elko, Fred spent his early years living at the Lamoille Canyon power house in the Ruby Mountains of Northeastern Nevada. His father managed the hydro-electric station there and maintained the power generator's wooden flume during the often brutal winter months. The family moved in to Elko when Fred was about 6 so he and his older sister, Alice Claire Williams (Risard) could attend school in town. Fred graduated from Elko High School in 1952, and he worked as a young man in his father's gas station on Idaho and 3rd Street, then in the hardware business at Hesson Hardware. Fred joined with Bob Bellinger in the '60s to purchase Elko Floor Covering, on Commercial Street, which became their successful business, Home Furnishings. He sold that business and retired in Elko in 1993.

Fred and his first wife, Violet (née Mastin) married in 1954 and welcomed their first of four children, Alice, in 1955. She was joined by Bob (1957), Rick (1958) and Kathy (1961), all of whom grew up in Elko, like their parents. Following Fred's and Vi's divorce in 1966, Fred married Clara (née Boss) Thomas of Elko in 1969 and became step-father to Carol and Chet. Fred lost his dear Clara in June 2016.

Fred did not ever move from Elko throughout his life until he left his home for attentive care in a comfortable senior community in Reno. In his final years he enjoyed the diligent care and companionship of his youngest daughter, Kathy. All his family remains close and is completely mutually supportive through the difficult shared loss of this nice, honorable man from their lives.

Fred (formally, Frederick Yale Williams, Jr.) was preceded in death by his father in 1973, and his mother in 2001. He leaves behind Alice M. Williams (& Rob), Robert Y. Williams, Frederick D. Williams (& Leah), Kathleen C. Sanchez (née Williams) (& Vincent), Carolyn J. Roberts (née Thomas) (& John), and Chester P. Thomas (& Shaun). His progeny also include 12 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Pursuant to his wishes, Fred's family will gather this summer in Lamoille Canyon to remember him in his favorite spot on Earth. Fred Y. Williams was an enthusiastic supporter of the Northeastern Nevada Museum, and in lieu of flowers or other gifts remembering him, he would have appreciated acts of generosity to that premier cultural and historical center in northeastern Nevada.