Jerry Williams

Gerold Gordon Williams, known and loved as "Jerry," passed away on January 31, 2021, from complications of dementia. A devoted father of four, thoughtful attorney, and lifelong surfer, Jerry was born February 24, 1941, in Pomona, CA. He graduated from Pomona High School in 1958 and attended Mt. San Antonio College until he transferred to UC Berkeley. After graduating from Cal in 1962, where he earned a bachelor's degree in history and served as president of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, Jerry went on to UC Hastings College of the Law, from which he graduated in 1965. He married Marcia MacDougall in 1965 and they moved to Los Angeles, then on to Laguna Beach when Jerry began his career in the Orange County DA's office. Jerry left the DA's office in 1968 and began a long, fulfilling solo career in general law practice, which he genuinely enjoyed, while raising his family in Laguna. He was a kind, gentle, fun-loving man who made friends everywhere he went and always brought along his sense of humor. Jerry is survived by his first wife Marcia Streech of San Juan Capistrano and their four children: Amy Black (Hugh) of Sacramento, CA, Roderick Williams (Portia Elmer) of North Haven, CT, Emily Williams of Sacramento, CA, and Gordon Williams (Kim) of Longmont, CO. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Oliver and Charlie Black, Avocet and Oban MacDougall, and Mason and Kately Mishnick, and his second wife, JoAnne Williams of Tustin, CA. A memorial service is being planned for the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jerry's honor to Surfrider Foundation (www.surfrider.org) or Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org).