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William Lee Williams

1944 - 2020

William Lee Williams obituary, 1944-2020, Olympia, WA

William Williams Obituary

William L. "Bill" Williams 1944-2020 Bill passed early Saturday, June 13 at Providence Saint Peter's Hospital after a year-long, incredibly brave battle with illness. Family, friends, and community mourn his loss, but treasure and celebrate a life full of wit, warmth, and generosity in time and spirit. He was blessed with the love and friendship of countless friends and the community he served. Born to Mary Agnes (Marsh) Williams and John Alexander Williams, Sr. during World War II on October 28, 1944, Bill was the first baby born at Kadlec Hospital in Richland, WA, where his family had moved to assist the war effort. After the war, they returned to West Virginia where Bill spent his early years with brothers John and Mike, graduating from White Sulphur Springs High School. For college, Bill followed his elder brother John to Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he met the love of his life, Maxine Lenore Chapnick, in the spring of 1966. After a whirlwind summer courtship, the two were wed that fall on October 8, 1966, at the University of Michigan, where both attended graduate school Bill at the School of Law and Maxine at the School of Social Work and commenced a lifelong dedication to the Maize and Blue. Upon graduation in 1969 during the heart of the Vietnam War, Bill enrolled in the Navy, training at the Naval Justice School in Newport, RI, after which he served in the Judge Advocate General Corps from 1970 to 1975, in locations ranging from San Diego, CA to Yokosuka, Japan. Upon completing service in August 1975, Bill and Maxine returned to Bill's native Washington, settling in Lacey where Bill began a 35-year career with the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Washington, serving as Senior Attorney General for the Departments of Corrections, Health, and Transportation, successfully arguing two cases before the U.S. Supreme Court (Washington v. Harper and Washington v. Glucksberg), and earning recognition from his colleagues and peers in the Angelo Petruss Award for Lawyers in Government Service from the Washington State Bar Association, and the Steward of Justice award, bestowed by then-Attorney General Christine Gregoire. Not content with one career, Bill took on multiple public service roles almost immediately, starting with the organization of the Tanglewilde Parks District (ensuring the continued operation of the neighborhood pool) and continuing to the North Thurston School Board, where he served 25 years dedicated to improving educational opportunity for all children. Upon retiring from the AG's office, Bill continued his educational involvement, serving as President of the Washington State School Directors' Association, on the Board of the National School Board Association, and as the Executive Director for the Washington Parent-Teacher Association. During retirement, Bill loved to travel with Maxine, beginning with an epic March Madness road trip in spring 2009. Both avid sports fans, they loved to support the University of Michigan and Duke University as well as local sports teams, particularly the Sounders. Together, they cruised the Mediterranean, and the waters of France, Scandinavia, and Alaska; as a lifelong NPR listener, he especially enjoyed the Garrison Keillor cruises. Bill is survived by his wife Maxine, his brothers Charles Michael Williams of Lewisburg, WV and John Alexander Williams Jr. of Washington DC and New Canaan, CT, daughters Robyn, Rachel, and Lara, sons-in law Jed Stickgold and Alex Benn, and grandchildren Caleb and Lennon Stickgold, Summer Williams, and Sam Benn, all of whom will always remember him as a kind, warm, and loving husband, brother, father, and grandfather. Due to the pandemic, a full celebration of Bill's life will be scheduled for a later date; a small graveside service will be held on Monday, June 22, at Woodlawn Funeral Home. Bill's family appreciates your love, support and condolences, and suggests (in lieu of flowers) donations to Bill's favorite cause, the North Thurston Education Foundation (ntef.org) toward a scholarship in his name.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Olympian on Jun. 21, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
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Cathy Hoover

January 12, 2021

I had the great good fortune of having Bill as a mentor and supervising attorney for several years at the AG office. My career and life would not have been the same without him. He was a wonderful example of professionalism, grace, humor and kindness. He encouraged and inspired me to do my best. I was truly lucky to know him and meet his lovely family. I’m so sorry for your loss.

Deb Gregory

June 30, 2020

My deepest condolences on the loss of Bill. I knew him through his work as Senior AG for the Department of Transportation. He was a deeply kind and gracious man that I will always remember. I feel blessed at having known him.

Britt Hoglund

June 30, 2020

I'm so sad to learn about the passing of Mr Williams as I knew him. Wonderful memories of spending time with his daughter Robyn at their house. He was very kind to me and I really appreciated that. Condolences to the their family

Mike Reed

June 29, 2020

Bill was a great guy , I graduated with him in 1962.
My condolences to the family.

Jane M. Berube

June 25, 2020

Bill was really the best boss ever. I worked for him on the Internal Management Review at the AG's office - he was one of those bosses who was willing to let you do far more than the simple "job description". He also made sure he would be the one to hand diplomas to my two kids when they graduated from Timberline in 2002. He will surely be missed by all who knew him. Sorry for your loss, Max!

Roxanne Lieb

June 25, 2020

I was so very sad to hear about Bills passing. I had the good fortune to work with him on a class action settlement and also in his school board role. When I told him I wanted to run for school board in another district, he lent me his large collection of school board publications. He brought the same intelligence and dedication to his community work that he brought to his outstanding legal career. What I remember the most, though, was his kindness. He always listened with an open heart. My deep condolences to Maxine and the family.

John Alexander Williams

June 22, 2020

before the pandemic ruined all plans, Bill & I were looking forward to a nice long visit, beginning in April when my Washington Nationals team was scheduled to play his Seattle Mariners. I planned to show off my new great-grandson, Alex, whose parents had recently moved from Austin to Seattle, and to renew my acquaintance with Rachel & her family and with Robyn and her cute and adorable companion Hank. I count it as a particularly cruel fate that I never saw Bill again. Like most brothers, Bill and I were competitors as well as collaborators. I hate it that he beat me to the finish line on June 13.

Marie McCutcheon Lewis

June 21, 2020

Please know that my thoughts are with you, Max, and your family. Bill was my classmate and friend, as you know. He was an intelligent, nice guy and he will be missed by all. He left a large footprint on this earth. He was one of the Good guys.
With warm thoughts,
Marie

Linda Gallivan

June 21, 2020

To Bill's family, you have my deepest condolences. When Bill moved out of Tanglewilde he bestowed everything he had collected on the history of Tanglewilde. It has been a great honor to carry this role. He spent time telling me stories of the old neighborhood, when it was new. He loves life and his community deeply. He was a good man. His presence will be missed.
Linda~from the old neighborhood

Patti Hamood McCrory

June 21, 2020

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow
May God give you much comfort in the coming days and months.
He was a wonderful man.

Richard Leach

June 21, 2020

So sad to lose such a super kind and super intelligent friend and classmate! I know family and friends have many memories that will offer some comfort in these sorrowful times.

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