Melissa D. Williams

SALEM - Melissa D. Williams died Nov. 9, 2005 at the age of 41. Melissa will forever be remembered by her family and friends for her many successes in the fields of politics and business, her wonderful sense of humor, her courage in the face of adversity, and the way her exuberant laugh spread joy to all of us. Melissa was born July 20, 1964 in Ohio, but grew up in Conroe, Texas. She was a Texan through and through. Melissa loved horses and began a lifelong passion for riding early in life. She also loved liver-and-white colored English Springer Spaniels and shared many long walks and car rides with two springers, Ollie (in D.C.) and Hobbes (in Oregon). Melissa graduated from Conroe High School in 1982 and from Texas Christian University (TCU) in 1986 with a bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in communications. She was a member of Chi Omega Fraternity at TCU. Melissa applied her education and energetic talents to political and grassroots campaigns from one end of the country to the other, including New Jersey, Alaska, Arizona, Texas, Pennsylvania and Oregon. After moving to Oregon in 1994, Melissa worked tirelessly to maintain a Republican Party majority in the state Senate. Melissa served as Chief of Staff for the Leadership Fund, the Senate Republican campaign PAC, from 1995 through 2001. She also worked as Caucus Services Director in the Senate Majority Office with Senator Brady Adams (R-Grants Pass) and later as Chief of Staff for two Senate majority leaders: Senator Gene Derfler (R-Salem) and Senator David Nelson (R-Pendleton). In 2000, Melissa and colleague Annette Price co-founded WilliamsPrice Ltd., a successful government affairs and strategic communications firm. While the firm will continue to prosper and help clients attain their hopes and dreams, the strength and humor Melissa brought to the company will be sorely missed. Melissa had many friends across the country who shared her passion for politics, hard work and fun. Many friends will remember Girl's Weekend or Girl's Night Out, often a needed break from the daily stresses of work and family. Others may remember late nights at the Tune Inn, Orioles and Mariners baseball games or road trips to just about anywhere in the country. Melissa was a dear and fiercely loyal friend who will be greatly missed. A beloved daughter and sister, Melissa leaves her family with a treasure trove of memories, whether it was taking a road trip with her mother though the Southwest after a successful campaign in Arizona, celebrating with her brother Bob at gala events for the Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Company in North Carolina, going whitewater rafting with her sister Lisa in Oregon, or giving her brother David an insider's tour of Washington D.C. Faced with cancer, Melissa showed all the inner strength and concern for others that guided her throughout her life. She never complained. Even when the cancer treatments and illness took their toll on her body, her spirit never waned. She maintained her quick and inexhaustible wit, and always strove to ease the strain on those around her. Melissa was a member of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, Boys and Girls Club (of Salem) Young Executive Board, the Marion County Economic Development Advisory Board and the Capitol Club. She received the Young Executive Board Member of the Year award in 2004 from the Boys and Girls Club. Melissa was preceded in death by her father, Robert Williams, Sr., and her step-father, Henry Bauerlein. She is survived by her mother, Carolyn Bauerlein of Hickory, N.C.; her brother, Bob Williams of Hickory, N.C.; step-sister, Lisa Olsen of Houston, Texas; and step-brother, David Bauerlein of Jacksonville, Fla. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the: Boys and Girls Club of Salem, Marion & Polk Counties - Melissa D. Williams Memorial Fund - 1395 Summer Street N.E., Salem, OR 97303.