Arlene Lavonne Williams

Arlene LaVonne Dighton Williams was born January 27, 1938 in Ryan, Iowa, a few miles from the family farm in Coggon, Iowa. She was welcomed by Duane and Irene Dighton and two brothers Robert and David; she was joined later by Lyndon and Kevin.

She attended a country school for three years before attending school in Coggon. After receiving a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State Teachers College, she accepted a music teacher’s position in Coos Bay, Oregon. There she met and married Gary Earl Williams on December 23, 1961. They became parents to Daun Melyndon, Gray Reynolds and Brooke Jorene.

Arlene and Gary both taught in the North Bend School District until 1980 when they opened their own home remodeling business together. After the collapse of the local economy and with their children all off to college, they closed up shop and ventured north to Alaska. There they taught school in the southeastern town of Metlakatla beginning in 1984. A few years after their move to Alaska, they purchased a lodge on the 60-acre Keene Island near Petersburg. They spent summers there building onto the lodge and running a fishing guide business. Eventually, they quit running the fishing lodge and just enjoyed their beautiful island and time with children, grandchildren, neighbors and visiting friends.

They sold the island in 2015 and moved to Salem, Oregon, where their daughter, Brooke, and family lived. They enjoyed attending church and activities at Jefferson Baptist Church. Arlene was also very active with the South Salem Senior Center, especially with the knitting and crocheting class where you would find her helping others on their projects, or knitting socks and/or baby blankets as the great grandchildren began arriving. Arlene’s other constant activity was taking two-mile morning walks with friends rain or shine. This past November, after 64 years of marriage, Arlene’s dear husband Gary passed away after a short illness. After his passing, Arlene’s health quickly declined. She was surrounded and supported by her family and friends who all loved her deeply. She passed peacefully on August 21, 2026.

Arlene is survived by her brother Kevin Dighton and his wife Donna; her children: Daun Bromenschenkel and her husband Ron, Gray Williams and his wife Maria Elena, and Brooke Goldsby and her husband Bob; her grandchildren: Trenton Bromenschenkel, Lucas Bromenschenkel and his wife Michaela, Tag Williams and his wife Samantha, Keene Williams, Blaze Williams and his wife Sarah, Gage Williams, Raimy Williams, Rab Williams, Logan Goldsby and his wife Alexis, Leecia Getty and her husband Riley, Noelle Goldsby, and Draemontaye Goldsby; her great grandchildren: Liam Bromenschenkel, Josiah Bromenschenkel, Aaliyah Goldsby, Zara Goldsby, and Dallas Getty; and so many amazing nieces and nephews that all loved her dearly!

A Memorial Service will be held at Jefferson Baptist Church on Saturday, October 10, 2026 at 1:00pm. For those unable to attend you can watch the service at: https://www.youtube.com/live/FYompcbh6B4

In lieu of flowers please make donations to: https://salemangels.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donate