Dr. Ceilous Lycurtis Williams

On March 15, 1928, Ceilous Lycurtis, Jr. was born at home in Ettrick, Virginia, to Myrtle Blankenship Williams and Ceilous Lycurtis Williams, Sr. He passed away in his sleep on January 15, 2026, in Happy Valley, Oregon, while under hospice care. He remained mentally alert, even as his body failed, and enjoyed numerous visits in person and online with extended family until shortly before his passing.

As an only child raised during the Great Depression of the 1930s, Ceilous recalled his upbringing fondly despite financial challenges. His experiences as a child shaped his outlook and parenting, gently and consistently impressing upon his children the differences between needs and wants. He excelled at Ettrick Elementary and Petersburg High School, graduating first in his high school class.

After his freshman year at the University of Virginia, Ceilous chose to join the Navy rather than be drafted into a different branch of the military. The Navy sent him to an electronics school where he was challenged, and excelled, studying with capable classmates from across the U.S. As WWII militarization ended, Ceilous was honorably discharged, after which he headed back to college but this time as a pre-medical student.

That fall, his college history class had assigned alphabetical seating. Ceilous, the sophomore Navy veteran from Virginia, was assigned to sit next to the woman who became the love of his life, Miss Mettie Wilkinson of Portland, Oregon. They were engaged within a year and were married June 21, 1952, in Portland, Oregon. They were married for over 70 years, enjoying a partnership genuinely filled with love, commitment, and joy. Their marriage was founded on their Christian faith with Philippians 4:19 inscribed inside their wedding bands. These words guided and sustained them throughout their lives together: “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

After the wedding, they moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, where Ceilous continued his medical studies at the University of Virginia and Mettie taught 1st and 2nd grade at a rural two-room schoolhouse. (Some of Mrs. Williams’ first grade students wondered aloud if Mr. Williams might be a dull man upon learning he was STILL in school!) The first two of their six children were born in Charlottesville.

In 1957 they moved to Seattle, where he completed his residency at Virgina Mason hospital. In 1958 they settled in Portland, where they welcomed the next four children while Ceilous built an internal medicine practice, worked part time as the physician for Pacific NW Bell, and in later years as the admitting physician for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation inpatient facility.

Ceilous loved providing for his family in numerous ways, including making family breakfast most mornings, dropping high-school aged children off at school on his way to the office, and in later years baking each person’s favorite dessert at family gatherings. Time away from his medical practice often involved yard work, baking, church participation, children’s activities, and visits to the family beach house which generated ongoing and longstanding opportunities for family bonding.

Despite Ceilous’ excellent command of speech, he was often a man of few but significant words. He shared wisdom with those inclined to listen, including his children even at times when they weren’t (inclined to listen)! He did not seek leadership positions, but was often asked to fill them at church and the hospital, which he did with diligence. One of his joys was teaching the college-aged and young-married Sunday School classes, and in later years, he and Mettie hosted and led Bible studies at their home.

Acts of service were his forte, on display at home, within the local church, and in his profession. For several years Ceilous provided, free of charge, the required medical physicals for children preparing to attend church summer camp. He and Mettie also took advantage of opportunities to host church youth group events at the family beach house.

Ceilous and Mettie were a dynamic team throughout their lives together encompassing family, leadership, and volunteer work. He appreciated Mettie’s excellent instincts and financial and administrative skills. Together they prioritized education for their children, local and global Christian ministries, and a retirement schedule that allowed them to spend many wonderful years together.

They loved learning about people and cultures and travelled extensively after launching their children. Both excellent photographers, they won hearts with their curiosity and compassion. After Mettie’s passing in 2022, Ceilous continued to win the hearts of grandchildren, great grandchildren, residents and staff at the assisted-living facility, fellow worshippers, and his hospice nurse.

Ceilous was blessed with 6 children: Martha, Jonathan (Lorraine), Jennifer (Eric), Melanie (Alvin), Stuart (Lilli) and Christopher (Heidi); 12 grandchildren: Nicole (René), Andrew (Angelique), Benjamin (Melissa), Nathaniel (Tori), Jacob, Abigail (David), Calum, Ewan, James, Sarah, Ellis, Adrian; and 11 great-grandchildren: Mya, Malia, Logan, Emma, Riley, Charles, Lexi, Penelope, Mia, Ariella, and Anastasia.

A celebration of life will be held February 15, 2026 at 1 pm at Clarkes United Methodist Church, 18773 S. Windy City Road, Mulino, OR 97042. A full meal will be provided following the service by the Clarkes United Women in Faith.

For those unable to attend in person, Clarkes United Methodist Church will livestream the service. The livestream will begin at 12:30 PM with a slideshow, and the service will start at 1:00 PM. Please click on "Join Livestream" under Services to watch Live or follow the link below:

https://greaternw.zoom.us/j/95379864276?pwd=WDJOTnI1R3ZMOXdEZ3FFektCekZ4Zz09

In lieu of flowers, the family would love for you to sign the guestbook and share a favorite memory of Ceilous, or make a donation to the Christian Medical and Dental Society: https://cmda.org