Merle Williams Sr. (1934 – 2017)

 

October 6, 1934-January 20, 2017 Merle Williams Sr. was born on October 6, 1934 in a log cabin in Concrete, Washington and went home to be with the Lord on January 20, 2017. He attended Concrete High School home of the Lions and graduated with the class of 1952. After graduating from high school at the age of 17, he started working at the cement plant in Concrete. He was a commercial fisherman; construction worker; bank teller; worked in Sauk Suiattle; worked in orchards in Eastern Washington; owned and operated his own landscaping business; and he did painting and varnishing. His main occupation was that of a pastor where he traveled the US and Canada, ministering to our Native people and other nationalities. He and Rose started dating in 1957 and were married on May 4, 1957. One month later he was drafted into the Army. He returned home in May of 1959. Merle and Rose have served as pastors since June of 1960. He is survived by his children, Merle (Debbie) Williams Jr., Nadine Williams, Michael (Paulencia) Williams, and Tena Williams; seven grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; his sister, Marilyn Rock; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at 1:00 PM at Schaefer-Shipman Funeral Home with an Interfaith Service to follow at 6:00 PM at the Tulalip Gym. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 10:00 AM at the Tulalip Gym with burial following at Mission Beach Cemetery.