Edward Thomas Williams

Edward Thomas Williams, 62, of Ellensburg passed away on April 9, 2012 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho with his family by his side. Ed was born in St. Maries, Idaho on October 2, 1949 to Edward and Zoe Williams. They lived in Avery, Idaho until 1957 before moving to Sunnyside, Washington. He attended school in Sunnyside and at the age of 13, Ed started working for Smith’s Funeral Home in Sunnyside mowing yards and helping out which was the beginning of his 35 years in the funeral business. In 1968, Ed graduated from Granger High School.

Upon graduation, Ed joined the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman. Upon receiving an Honorable Discharge, Ed returned to the Yakima Valley and married Susan Kile in 1971. Ed worked for Heath Signs in Yakima as sign painter and shortly after he began working for Lyle Mussetter at Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home in Yakima. Choosing to further himself in the funeral business, Ed attended and graduated from the Los Angeles College of Mortuary Science in 1975.

He returned to Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home as a funeral director and embalmer, later becoming partners in the funeral home. Ed had great attention for detail and always took great pride in his work at the funeral home.

In 1985 Ed began working as a funeral director and embalmer for Paul Cotton at the Cotton Chapels in Ellensburg and Cle Elum.

In 1990 Ed and Christopher Steward purchased Cotton Chapels and renamed the funeral homes to Steward & Williams Funeral Directors in Ellensburg and Cascade Funeral Home in Cle Elum. Ed married Marla K. Minor in January of 1991.

In 1998, Ed retired from the funeral service. He enjoyed working in the yard and his wood shop. He also enjoyed spending time at his cabin on Lake Coeur d'Alene in Idaho.

Ed’s lifelong passion was exploring the abandoned mines around Avery, Idaho. Ed spent many years locating the mines and camping throughout the Idaho/Montana border along the St. Joe River. Ed, his friends and his son Mark enjoyed many camping trips over the years. Ed especially enjoyed having coffee with all of his friends at the Donut Shop in Yakima, Webster’s Café, the Highway Grill and the Copper Kettle in Ellensburg.

Ed was preceded in death by his father, Edward Bishop Williams and step-father Gail Howard.

Ed is survived by his wife Marla K. Williams of Ellensburg; daughter, Kim (Steve) Slane of St. Louis, MO and their children Bishop, James, Sarah, and Jacob; a son, Mark Williams of Ellensburg and his son Trenton Williams; mother, Zoe Howard of Sunnyside; two sisters, Whitney (Niels) Brown of Sunnyside and Jody Nelson of Prosser; as well as two nieces.

A graveside funeral service will be held at 1 PM on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at the I.O.O.F Cemetery in Ellensburg. Steward & Williams Tribute Center are in care of the funeral arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Ed’s name be made to the Avery Citizen’s Committee, P.O. Box 143, Avery, Idaho 83802.