Dennis Ray Williams

Dennis Ray Williams, age 64, of La Grande, died February 14, 2009 at his home. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 19, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. at Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 7th Street in La Grande. Casual wear is requested as Dennis was not a suit and tie guy.

Dennis was born on April 6, 1944, to Curtis and Lula Mae (Hardman) Williams in Baker City, Oregon. He was raised by his mother, Lula Mae Luster and step-father, Gilbert Luster and grandparents, Viola and Henry Hardman of Baker City. He went to school in Baker and North Powder. Dennis went to work at the Boise Cascade Saw Mill when he was 19 years old. He worked there until retirement in December of 2008 after 44 ½ years. He was a millwright for over 12 years and later ran the re-saw until retirement. He married Barbara Wilhelm of Elgin in June of 1975.

Dennis really was enjoying retirement and the duties of becoming the house woman. His enjoyments were 1st, his family, and school sports. He mainly loved football and followed the local high school teams very closely with basketball and baseball following very close. He was looking forward to barbequing on his new Brinkman Barbeque he bought for his retirement gift. He was really looking forward to barbequing some steaks. He never met a bad beef steak. He loved food and was eager to try something new. He only liked two kinds of pies, hot and cold. He loved fresh tomatoes and onions out of the garden.

Dennis enjoyed the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, loved to drive around in the spring and see the new baby animals. He was a farm boy at heart and loved to talk about growing up on a dairy.

Dennis is survived by his wife of almost 34 years, Barbara Williams of La Grande; sons, Derek Williams of La Grande and Steve and Paula Williams of Kuna, Idaho; daughter, Debbie and Jeff Graham of Ohio; 9 grandchildren; 1 great granddaughter, born in November 2008 and a great grandson due in April 2009; brothers and sisters-in-law, Charles & Peggy Frizzell of Summerville, Reggie and Cinda Childers of Kodiak, Alaska and Alfred Wilhem Jr. of Prineville, Oregon; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins in the North Powder area. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and father-in-law, Alfred Wilhelm. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Dennis to the Oregon Cancer Society, 0330 SW Curry, Portland, OR 97201 or the Lou Gehrig's Disease, The ALS Association, Development Dept., 27001 Agoura Road, Suite 250, Calabasas, California 91301.

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