Donald Cary Williams

August 1, 1954 to June 8, 2024 - Donald Cary Williams passed away to be with Jesus on June 8, 2024 in Brookings, Oregon. Don was born on August 1, 1954. He is preceded in death by his father (Herbert Cary) and mother (Geraldine) Williams. He is survived by his three sisters: Debbie, Diane (Jeff), and Doreen. Don is also survived by his two children, Brian Williams and Leslie (Jay) Wilson, two grandsons Christopher and Caleb Sullivan, three step-grandchildren Gavin, Savanah, and Jessa Wilson, and best friend, Rod Tinker.

Don was born in Spokane, Washington and moved to Oregon when he was in elementary school. He grew up hunting and fishing with his dad and found his ultimate love of becoming a life-long fisherman. He graduated from Sandy High School in 1972 and then moved on to Mt. Hood Community College where he studied landscaping. He married Pam in 1975 and they welcomed Brian into the world. They moved to Camp Sherman, Oregon where he began his career with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife at Wizard Falls Hatchery. Shortly after, they moved to Bonneville Fish Hatchery where Don continued his work with ODFW, working at the Bonneville Fish Hatchery and with the Salmon Program. Bonneville is where they welcomed Leslie into the world.

Following his years of working for ODFW, Don switched careers to working with Portland General Electric. The family moved to Three Lynx, Oregon where Don started his long-time employment with PGE. In 1985, the family moved to Estacada, Oregon where they planted roots and built a small farm. Don became the Hydroelectric Maintenance Foreman for the Faraday Project on the Clackamas River. He oversaw the maintenance of the River Mill and Faraday Dams, the Promontory Park and Small Fry Lake, as well as occasionally the Sullivan Plant in Oregon City. Don helped his kids raise 4-H and FFA animals: sheep, pigs, goats, and llamas; and he volunteered at the Clackamas County Fair as the Sheep Superintendent and also helped with the Junior Livestock Auction.

Don loved to take his kids fishing and hunting. They were often found camping at the Barview Jetty Campground, fishing, crabbing, and clamming on the Tillamook or Nehalem Bay, or hunting in many of the National Forests in Oregon. Don was always so very proud of Brian and Leslie. He attended Brian’s Lineman Rodeos after Brian started working for PGE. He attended every music performance of Leslie’s that he could.

After Brian and Leslie graduated and moved on, Don moved to Damascus, Oregon while continuing to work for PGE. He welcomed his two grandsons into the world in 2012 and 2014. He retired from PGE in 2013 and moved to his perfect retirement home in Brookings, Oregon, where he continued to live out his life as a fisherman. He fished every single day he could. When he wasn’t fishing, he was watching the ocean from the shore, taking a drive, visiting with new friends in Brookings, or looking for whales in the ocean. Just three days before he left this earth, Don was out fishing and witnessed a pod of five orcas by his boat. He added to the photos, “Had to add this last picture of the largest Orca spy hopping. A most exciting and memorable experience. They are fascinating creatures.”

Don leaves behind a legacy of kindness and generosity for everyone around him. His smile and small laugh could light up a room or a fishing boat like no other. His care and compassion for others was evident in how he lived his life. Many people remember Don through his giving heart and great, big bear hugs. Don will be deeply missed by his sisters, children, grandchildren, extended family, and friends.

Don’s Celebration of Life will be held at 6:00pm on July 20, 2024 at the Brookings Elks Lodge at 800 Elk Drive in Brookings Oregon. As requested by him, Don’s cremains will be cast at sea in Brookings, followed by lemons from his Meyer Lemon tree.