James D. McWilliams
August 17, 1929 - August 21, 2018
Born James Duncan McWilliams on August 17, 1929 to James Marshall and Ellen Marguerite McWilliams at Merritt Hospital in Oakland, CA. He is survived by his brother Douglas Malcom McWilliams and wife Mary McWilliams, his children, James Keith McWilliams and Victoria Lee Chang and their spouses Debora Kay McWilliams and Stuart Chang, his grandchildren, James Aaron McWilliams and Ryan Porter McWilliams and his wife Yvette Mangual and Elise Nicole Bridgen and her spouse Matt Bridgen.
James was a product of the Berkeley school system. In his senior year of high school he joined the Marine Reserves Infantry VMF 141 Oakland. Upon graduating high school in 1948 he went on to San Jose State. He would soon meet his future wife Phyllis Elsie McGill and for him it was love at first sight. They continued to date until they married in 1950 and while on their honeymoon he was called up to active duty in VMF 312 Airborne to serve in Korea for the better part of the next two years. He was an aircraft mechanic and reached the rank of sergeant and would remain in the reserves for the next ten years. Upon his return to United States after his tour of duty he returned to his job at Pacific Bell. In 1952 his daughter, Victoria was born followed by the birth of his son James in 1956.
He had many talents and hobbies. James taught himself electronics from a book and was soon building stereo components and ham radios. He was an avid ham radio operator and made many friends. This love of working with his hands would result in the building of an electronic pipe organ for his wife, Phyllis. Which would lead to years of social interaction with friends in their Organ Club. James greatest love besides his wife and family was aeronautics. He was an accomplished pilot, flying both gliders and small power planes.
Time would fly by and soon there would be grandchildren. James and Phyllis loved spending time with their grandchildren. They were devoted Christians and spent many hours involved in church activities at Community Alliance Church in Richmond. He also served as the treasurer for the church for many years. He and Phyllis had many friends in the Christian Community. He was a tireless member of the Gideons Society spending many hours handing out bibles at high schools and induction centers. After retirement they traveled extensively to many locations around the globe. James loved to play golf with his son and grandsons. James and his wife spent 62 years together in their home in Albany until her death in February 2015. In 2016 he moved to Brentwood to be closer to his son. He will be remembered by many, many friends and family
He was a very positive person, who exhibited a very calm and reassuring demeanor. James was an honest and ethical man with a great sense of humor.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in James D. McWilliams name to the Gideons Society of El Cerrito.
Friends are invited to attend funeral services on Friday, August 31, 2018 at 11:00 am at Sunset View Mortuary, 101 Colusa Avenue, top of Fairmount Avenue in El Cerrito, CA. Interment to follow at Sunset View Cemetery in El Cerrito, CA.