Mr. Nathan George Williams, lifelong resident of Sitka, passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 12, 2016, at the age of 27.
Nathan was born to Diana Williams on March 8, 1988, in Sitka. He grew up the big brother to his baby sister Bethany Austin. They were each other’s first best friends. He always looked out for Bethany and protected her any chance he had.
He graduated in 2006 from Sitka High School where he enjoyed playing the trumpet and basketball starting from middle school.
From 2005 through 2007 he worked at Westmark Sitka, where he enjoyed building strong relationships with his co-workers and customers. In 2009 he became a part of the Pizza Express family. He would always greet the customers with a big smile, remembered drinks and orders. He made great customer service a priority, and always found a way to put a smile on everyone’s face around him. His big heart carried with him everywhere.
While he was a young boy he participated in local luaus, blowing the conch shell. In elementary school you would see Nathan downtown selling newspapers, trying to get the highest number sold, and he saved all his earnings.
Growing up, Nathan, his sister and friends enjoyed watching WWE, then afterward they played video games and wrestled. He would swim in the river and hike with neighborhood kids – he had a wide group of friends who cared so much about him.
Nathan looked forward to fishing with his grandfather in summers. He absolutely loved watching football with close friends, bringing food from work to share. He was a loyal fan of the New Orleans Saints – he always had his Saints hat or sweater on.
He spent every day and holiday visiting and taking care of his grandmother at the hospital. When staff mentioned he was always there, he replied, ‘‘My grandmother means the world to me.’’
He also deeply loved and cared for his mother, and he was always bragging about his niece. He was so proud of her and looked forward to spending time with her, taking her to playgrounds and on walks, and watched her favorite movies with her at his mother’s.
Nathan is survived by his mother, Diana Williams; his grandmother, Harriet Williams; his sister, Bethany Austin, and her sweet daughter Soleigah; his uncle, Garret Williams; his aunt, Tammy Williams; his aunt, Tina Williams; and his cousins, Christina Williams, Ben Williams and Eric Williams.
He was predeceased by his grandfather, Walter Williams; and his dog, Sasha.
A celebration of Nathan’s life will be 3-7 p.m.Sunday, Feb. 21, 2016, at Swan Lake Senior Center, 402 Lake Street. Feel free to take a potluck dish and share memories, his family said. Memorial donations can be made at Pizza Express, 1321 Sawmill Creek Road.
‘‘GO, SAINTS.’’
