Dennis Charles Williams

Dennis Charles Williams, 74, passed away from natural causes on November 30, 2025, at his Live Oak home with family by his side.

Dennis was born on January 6, 1951, in Pasadena, CA, to Charles "Dude" and Billie Ruth Williams. They moved to Santa Cruz when Dennis was only six weeks old. Dude and Billie had two more sons, David and Dale. In 1964, their parents founded Williams Tree Service. Dennis recalled being nine years old stacking wood because, "Dad always had me out there with him working."

Dennis graduated Soquel High School in 1970, took horticulture classes at Cabrillo College, and became certified arborist and the Legacy of Williams Tree Service. Stories of Dennis' legendary tree work still circulate the community.

In 1975, Dennis married Phyllis-Ann Legjons and shortly after had their only daughter Amanda Dianne. Dennis would also become the father of Rich, Shad, and Adam. While they grew up, Dennis' home was known asthe hangout spot for all the Live Oak kids and was always open for anyone who needed a place to stay.

Dennis was an avid gunsmith and a skilled hunter of antelope, deer, and elk. Dennis loved tending to his trees and plants and feeding the birds in his yard daily. Dennis took pride in his family, friends, business, and anyone who wanted to share stories. Dennis was known for his generosity and wanted everyone's cup to be full even if his wasn't.

Dennis was preceded in death by his father Dude Williams (a 1993 unsolved murder at Williams Tree Service in Santa Cruz), mother Billie Williams, cousin James Whaley, granddaughter Michaiah Rain Reed, and grandson Nicholas Charles Williams.

Dennis is survived by his uncle Bill Williams, brothers David Williams and Dale Williams, his one and only daughter Amanda Aquino, sons Rich Williams, Shad Williams, and Adam Williams, grandchildren Kayla Jones, Austin Hamby, Emme Williams, Anna Williams, Ethan Williams, Kyree Jones, and Benjamin Grove and Lucas Grove, whom were both there with their grandfather till the end.

All services for Dennis will be on Thursday, December 11. There will be a viewing at 11:00 AM, followed by a service at 12:00 PM at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel (1050 Cayuga St, Santa Cruz, CA 95062). Burial will take place immediately after at Soquel Cemetery (550 Soquel San Jose Rd, Soquel, CA 95073). A Celebration will be held following the burial at Anna Jean Cummings Park (Blue Ball Park) Lower Lot, Pavilion A (461 Soquel San Jose Rd, Soquel, CA 95073).