Anthony James Williams

Anthony J. Williams passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on January 29, 2025. Tony was born on December 9, 1941, in Prineville, OR, and was raised by his grandparents, Jim and Margaret Williams, in Ashland, Oregon. Tony grew up helping on the cattle ranch on Grizzly Mountain, hunting deer, squirrels, working in the orchards in the Rogue Valley, and getting into mischief with his buddies. When he was a senior, the family moved to Seneca, Oregon, and Tony graduated from high school in 1960 in John Day, Oregon. Tony moved to Seattle and attended college. He worked several jobs before landing a job with Olympic Stain. He traveled throughout the United States installing wood siding stain machines for Olympic Stain, which he had invented while working for a lumber yard in the Seattle area.

Tony started trapshooting in the late 60’s, winning various trophies throughout the Pacific Northwest. Tony was past president of the Odessa and Spokane Gun Clubs and served on the board of the Washington State Trapshooting Association for several years. He was elected president for the l978-79 season and was inducted into the WSTA Hall of Fame in June of 1991. He was forever grateful for the lifelong friendships that were developed during his trapshooting days. He retired from trapshooting in 1995 after he suffered a shoulder injury on a trip to Africa. Long range rifle shooting soon became his hobby.

Tony moved to Odessa in late 1973 with his children to become a managing partner in Western Sky Sports, the clay target factory. He was instrumental in designing and developing the machinery for the clay target machine. After selling the business in 1984, he started building grain trailers and became a bonded grain broker. Tony was a volunteer fireman and first responder with the Odessa Fire Department and served on the Odessa City Council. He was a lifetime member of the NRA.

Hunting was always a huge part of Tony’s life. His adventures included guiding and hunting in Idaho’s Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness as well as hunting trips to Oregon, Montana, Alaska, Canada, New Zealand and Africa. He fell in love with Africa after his first trip in 1989, and made several more trips with friends and family. Alaska kept calling him and he loved his annual trips to the Nome area to hunt and fish until his stroke in 2019.

Tony and Pam Null married on November 18, 1978, making their home in Odessa. Tony is survived by his wife, Pam, of 46 years, his two children Danny (Patty) and Linnie (Bud) Largent, all of Odessa. His grandchildren include Hailey Williams, Snohomish, WA; Carley (Tanner) Stanford, Ritzville, WA; Tyson (Mandy) Largent, Odessa, WA; Dakota Largent, Spokane; and grandson-in-law, Brett Gorman. Great grandchildren are Blakely and Brayden Gorman and Camryn and Colton Stanford. His beloved granddaughter, Andrea Largent Gorman, passed not long after her Grandpa Tony. Her courageous battle against ALS will always be an inspiration to us all. Tony was preceded in death by his parents, five siblings and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Tony loved that his children remained in Odessa to raise their families and enjoyed being involved with the grandchildren watching them play sports, participate in 4-H, and helping his grandsons bag their first deer. He loved special gatherings when everyone was together. He was affectionately known as Grandpa Pudge to his great grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held at the Odessa cemetery on Friday, May 9, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., and a luncheon will follow at the home of Doug and Jean Starkel. Memorials may be made to the Odessa Gun Club or to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Odessa.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stratefuneralhome.com for the Williams family. Strate Funeral Home, Davenport is caring for the family.