David Philip Williams

WILLIAMS — David Philip, 71; born Sept. 6, 1942, Seattle, Wash.; died July 11, 2014, Dillingham, Alaska. Surviving: wife, Shirley (Coleman); daughters, Cynthia (Williams) Snyder and husband, Guy, Dillingham; Tamara (Williams) Dahill and husband, Kevin, Shadow Hills, Calif.; sisters, Judy (Williams) deChantal and husband, Alain, Port Angeles, Wash.; Jill (Williams) Bruns and husband, Gene, Walla Walla, Wash.; 4 grandsons, David Williams II, Seattle; Anthony Snyder, Spokane, Wash.; Christopher Snyder, Dillingham; Coleman Dahill, Shadow Hills; and a granddaughter, Sarah Dahill, Shadow Hills.

David Philip Williams was born to Philip and Bethel Williams. He passed away on July 11, 2014 at Kanakanak Hospital following surgery to remove a brain tumor. 

Dave graduated from Auburn Adventist Academyl in 1960. In September of 1963, Dave married Shirley Coleman. This last fall, Dave and Shirley celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. 

As a young man, Dave began building an impressive skill set and work history while residing in Washington State. His experience included working as a telephone repairman, structure shop foreman/fabricator of camping trailers, sheet metal mechanic for The Boeing Company, engineering draftsman, aircraft mechanic for a corporate fleet, corporate pilot and mechanic plus new product research and development specialist.

In 1982, Dave accepted a position with Yute Air Alaska as the Director of Maintenance and pilot — which precipitated a family move to Dillingham, Alaska. A few years later (1989), Dave formed his own company known as Bristol Bay Maintenance, providing general aviation maintenance and repair, annual inspections and general repairs on private aircraft and also scheduled inspections for three owner-operated air-taxis. He remained actively engaged with this business until the time of his death.

The aviation world was an integral part of Dave’s life. He held licenses as a Commercial Pilot (ASEL, helicopter and Instrument Airplane) and as a Mechanic (Airframe Powerplant and Inspection Authorization).

Few knew that Dave was a recognized member of Mensa — a society for individual’s whose IQ is in the top 2% of the nation. He was in the top percent of that 2%. As a known ‘jack-of-all-trades’, Dave had the uncanny ability to do almost anything. He had numerous interests and hobbies which included: woodworking, computers, reading, river rafting, model building, camping, hiking, Pathfinders/youth groups, macramé, shooting, flying, being a pet bed and a practical joker. Known as a storehouse of trivia information, Dave readily answered questions about ‘anything.’ If he didn’t know the answer, he would look it up. 

Known as a man of good moral character, Dave possessed the qualities of honesty and trustworthiness. He was eager to offer help to anyone and everyone. His keen intelligence for technical problem solving, strong technical abilities and extensive knowledge in all aspects of aircraft maintenance did not hinder his remarkable ability to share his knowledge. Dave’s patient and ‘easy-to-understand’ manner enabled mastery of even the most difficult subjects for new mechanics. He was known throughout the community as a good, kind person and as an individual who did not speak ill of others. 

A family man with distinguished bearing and upstanding moral character, Dave was a great father to his own children and as a father-figure to hundreds of foster children. He was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, loved to work jigsaw puzzles, play table games and have ‘game night’ every Sabbath evening