Gary Earl Williams

Gary Earl Williams was born to Guerney (Bill) & Josephine Williams in a logging camp outside Klamath Falls, Oregon on July 3, 1936. When he was 7 years old, his family moved into town so Gary and his brother Leon could attend school. Gary’s father passed away from apparent stomach cancer while Gary was a freshman in high school. A few years later his mother married Frank Reynolds and they moved to Casper, Wyoming where Gary graduated from high school in 1955 then attended Casper Junior College for two years.

After moving back to Oregon, Gary began working his way through college by alternating work as a logger and attending classes at the University of Oregon, eventually graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. During this time Gary met Arlene in 1961, got married, and within a couple of years, started a family: Daun Melyndon was born July 19,1963; Gray Reynolds was born October 27, 1964; and Brooke Jorene was born February 10, 1967.

In 1969, Gary and Arlene moved their young family into the countryside near North Bend, Oregon. They taught PE (Gary) and music (Arlene) until opening their own small business - The PTL Discount Center - in 1977. After all of their kids had graduated from high school, their next big adventure was teaching in Metlakatla, Alaska, from 1985 until they retired in 2000. During that time they purchased and remodeled a fishing lodge on an idyllic 60-acre island on Alaska’s Inside Passage. They ran Keene Island Lodge with Gary guiding halibut and salmon fishing while Arlene kept the guests very well fed and cared for in spite of being completely off the grid. With time they also retired from running the lodge and simply enjoyed the island and Alaska with their growing family and many visiting friends.

Gary and Arlene sold the island and moved to Salem, Oregon, in 2015. After a few years, they purchased a dual living home with their daughter, Brooke and her family. It is there that Gary lived out his final days landscaping the outdoor areas with beautiful rock paths, flower gardens, and a goldfish pond.

He is survived by his wife Arlene; his brother Leon Williams and his wife Sandi; his children: Daun Bromenschenkel and her husband Ron; Gray Williams and his wife Maria Elena Rial; and Brooke Goldsby and her husband Bob; his 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; his great grandchildren: Aaliyah and Zara Goldsby; and Liam and Josiah Bromenschenkel; and so many amazing nieces and nephews who all love him dearly!

Flowers may be sent to Jefferson Baptist Church (15002 Jefferson Hwy 99E SE, Jefferson, OR 97352). If you wish to make a memorial contribution, please consider donating to Salem Angels via the link below, in memory of Gary Williams. For further information about Salem Angels, please visit their website at Salemangels.org

We sincerely hope to see you in person to share this time together; however, if you are unable to join us at Jefferson Baptist Church, we invite you to participate virtually via our live stream, link below.