James WILLIAMS

May 27, 1933 - September 17, 2025

Cheney - Dad passed peacefully at home, age 92, in the presence of family.

Dad was born to Henry and Adeline (Jolly) Williams in Hunters, WA. The youngest of four, and doted on by his three older sisters, the family eventually moved to Spokane, where he graduated from Rogers H.S. and married Shirley McGillis in 1951.

Dad served in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, TX, where daughter, Kathy, was born. He then went to Okinawa to serve during the Korean War as a crew chief on C-47 aircraft, earning the National Defense Service, Good Conduct, Korean Service, and UN Service Medals. After the service, the family lived in Spokane, where son, Scott, was born in 1956.

In 1971, Dad married his second wife, Shirlee Fuller, and adopted her son, Richard.

Dad followed father Henry's occupation as a mechanic and worked for Kenworth, B&B Trucking as part-owner, and was a proud member of the Automotive Machinists Union, retiring from URM as a heavy-duty diesel mechanic in 1995.

After retirement, mom and dad hit the road in their motorhome for 15 years, visiting all the lower 48 states and Alaska. When Shirlee developed MS in 1974, Dad acted as her primary caretaker for the rest of his life both at home and on the road. After the motorhome, they settled in Laughlin, NV, for several years before returning to Cheney, WA, to be closer to family.

Dad loved owning and watching fast cars as a NASCAR and open-wheel racing fan. He was very social, and weekends were usually spent visiting the extended family (Williams and Jollys) scattered around eastern WA; if not a ski trip or the horse races at Playfair. Among his other interests, he was an accomplished poker player and played in several WSOP events, restored watches, clocks, and classic cars - primarily Ford Thunderbirds. He also earned his pilot's license.

Dad was preceded in death by sisters, Eva Rickey, Phyllis Welch, Fran Hopkins; and grandson, Michael James Hall-Williams.

He is survived by wife, Shirlee; daughter, Kathy (Robert) Wellman; sons, Scott (Rebecca) and Richard (Melaine) Williams; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Thanks to Cheney Care Center, Care to Stay at Home Health Care, and MultiCare Home Health and Hospice.

A Military Honors Service will be held at Washington State Veterans Cemetery, 21702 W. Espanola Rd., Medical Lake, WA, on Monday, October 20, 2025, at 2:30 p.m.