James Laney Williams

Jim passed away on in the arms of his wife Cindy on their 59th anniversary. The greatest impact in his life was as the head of his beloved family. He was a much-loved husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, uncle and a cherished friend to many.

He was born to Florence and Ralph Williams in Winona, Minnesota. Upon college graduation from St. Mary’s of Minnesota University in the spring of 1960 he entered USMC’s Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Quantico VA and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant that December. Jim retired from active duty as a Colonel after 29 years of service to the Corps.

Growing up Scouting was a major influence on his life. The experience of earning Eagle rank along with 7 summers as a camp counselor he’d say provided him with the leadership, organizational skills, and teamwork mindset that served him well as a Marine Officer.

Early military assignments included tours of duty in the Western Pacific as a Rifle Platoon Commander, then Platoon and Company Commands back at OCS in Quantico. In 1967 he deployed to the Republic of Vietnam assuming command of Company B, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion at the Khe Sanh Combat Base. Reassigned later, as the C.O. of Company H, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines engaging in frequent action against the N. Vietnamese Regulars along the Demilitarized Zone. In April 1968, he was seriously wounded during the battle of Dai Do and was evacuated back to Camp Pendleton, CA.

Colonel Williams was awarded a Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action twice. Other decorations included the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star (with Combat V), Purple Heart, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. He is a graduate of the Naval War College School of Command and Staff, the Army War College, and a Master’s Degree in International Affairs from George Washington University.

His post war years of service involved command and staff positions at home and abroad at Marine Barracks, Newport RI, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Battalion 5th Marines, Assistant Naval Attache at the American Embassy in Rome Italy, the Pentagon and School of Infantry, Camp Pendleton CA.

Following his retirement from the Marine Corps he was hired as the Director of Corporate Relations for the Rancho Mission Viejo Company in San Juan Capistrano. During that period, he served numerous board of directors for community organizations in Orange County on behalf of Tony Moiso and the RMV Company, including several years as Executive Director of the San Juan Capistrano Boys and Girls Club. After his military career the friendships and camaraderie he cherished most were the 30+ years riding the trails of Old California on horseback with the El Viaje de Portola group alongside his three sons.

If you were to ask Jim what his greatest legacy was, he’d say the family he and Cindy created together. He is survived by his wife, Cindy, son Grant (daughter-in-law Lisa), son Michael (daughter-in-law Kara), son Christopher (daughter-in-law Heather), daughter Laney (son-in-law Andre) and 10 amazing grandchildren.