Former Sitkan James Stephen Williams died of an illness April 18, 2015, in Anchorage at the Alaska Native Medical Center with family at his side. He was 76.
Jim was born in Sitka Sept. 23, 1938, and lived in Chugiak for the last 20 years of his life. He was Raven, T´akdeintaan, from the Tax’ Hít (Snail House); and Kiks.ádi yádi.
His family wrote, “He was both tough and gentle, dedicated to family, an ‘uncle’ to many, and a heck of a cook. A deeply loved man.”
He was an Army Airborne Ranger, serving two and one-half combat tours in Vietnam – and was wounded twice.
He worked mechanics and electronics in the Army, and obtained an Information Technology degree from Charter College. Certified as a Drug and Alcohol Abuse Counselor, he worked for Ernie Turner Recovery Center, receiving recognition for his counseling skills and success.
In his life he worked technical progression at the Alaska Pulp Co. mill in Sitka, was a Sitka volunteer firefighter, a labor foreman in Valdez during the Trans-Alaska Pipeline construction, and was a fearless tow truck operator.
He loved fishing, hunting, carpentry, boating and cars - he worked years as an auto mechanic and repair shop owner in Anchorage.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, James D. Williams and Flora Williams; sisters Juanita Sanborn, Sylvia Carlsson, and Eleanor Thomas; and brothers Eugene Williams, and George, Clarence and Wilfred Dick.
Jim is survived by his sister Marta Ryman of Sitka, and his brother Richard Williams of Anchorage. He is also survived by nieces and nephews Chuck, Dennis and Diane Benson, Tatia McMillen, Terran Williams, and Marta Coleman of Anchorage; Dale Williams, Julie Adkins, Monica Eastham, and Clarence Dick Jr. of Sitka; and Nikki Nevers of Fairbanks amongst others; and many great-nieces and nephews.
Services will be held 1 p.m. May 1 at the Evergreen Memorial Chapel in Anchorage, followed by a procession and burial at Ft. Richardson National Cemetery.
