David Williamson

1940 - 2025

David Williamson

April 20,1940 – January 2, 2025

David was born in Vancouver, B.C., Canada to George Stanley Williamson and Ruth Lundy. In 1955 he moved with his parents and brother, Neil Williamson to Palos Verdes Estates, California.

During his youth he discovered a love of the sea. He enjoyed surfing, scuba diving and fishing, but his biggest passion was gliding through the ocean on a sailboat.

After graduation from the Art Center School of Design in Pasadena, he moved to New York where he was drafted into the US Army. While stationed in Germany he met the love of his life, Elke Grete Claesges. They married on May 15, 1965 in Worms/Rhein. After the Army Dave and Elke moved to Manhattan Beach, CA where their children Wendy and Ian were born.

Dave spent most of his career running his own graphic design business in Venice, CA. They spent many happy years in Manhattan Beach. Later they built their dream house in the hills of Malibu. After retiring Dave designed and built a timber frame house in Nevada City, CA. He milled the Sierra Nevada Douglas Fir and built most of the house himself. After 20 years, Dave and Elke downsized to Grass Valley, CA.

Throughout Dave's life he had a love for life and the outdoors which he passed on to his children and grandchildren. There were many adventures such as backpacking and skiing in Yosemite and Lake Tahoe. Amazing sailing trips to Catalina (this started in high school) and an incredible sailing voyage around the Sea of Cortez and mainland Mexico with family and friends.

David is survived by his wife Elke, brother Neil, daughter Wendy Spellman and her husband Pat, his son Ian Williamson and his wife Gabrielle. He is also survived by his grandchildren Bowen and Jack Spellman and McKenna, Quinn, Weston and Lyla Williamson.