David Paul Williams Novato, CA

November 24, 1938 2024

We mourn the passing of David (Dave) Paul Williams - a man extraordinaire, a true renaissance man. The son of Florence and Lloyd Williams, Dave was born in Monterey, California. His family moved to San Rafael in 1951, where he attended San Rafael High School, graduating in 1957. Dave then served in the US Army, stationed in Korea for two years. Returning to California, he worked for the Northwestern Pacific Railroad and Bechtel Corporation before starting his own business as a general contractor. While at Bechtel he met the love of his life, Jane. They shared over 50 years together and raised three children, Paul, Hillary, and Elizabeth. The children’s activities, fishing and camping trips, parties with friends, gardening, and home projects were some of the many highlights of these years. An award given to Dave for his contributions to San Rafael High School was inscribed; “Your Hammering Will Echo the Grounds of SRHS Forever.”

In 2011 Dave and Jane tragically lost their daughter, Hillary, to cancer and obtained legal guardianship of their grandchild, Alma Soria, who they have raised as their fourth beloved child. In Dave’s retirement he spent many years volunteering, including 19 years with the California History Room, where he was honored as part of the Volunteer Team of the Year in 2023. A dedicated genealogist, he served as President of the Marin County Genealogical Society from 2009-2011. Until a few weeks before his passing, he volunteered at the Hamilton Field History Museum as a docent. Dave was an avid reader with a vast intellect who loved to share his knowledge and curiosity with others. Most of all, Dave will be remembered as a devoted father and husband and as a warm and kind soul who was beloved by his family, friends, and community. His love for our family was limitless and will endure and sustain us in the days ahead. Dave’s life will be celebrated at Unity Church at 600 Palm Drive in Novato on May 4th, 2024 at 1:30 pm. If you would like to honor David’s life, consider donating to the Ritter Center of San Rafael. David is survived by wife Jane Williams, son Paul Daniel Williams (Carla Rummo), daughter Elizabeth Williams (Gregory Gemin), grandchildren Alma Soria, Clea Williams, Benjamin Williams, and Maxwell Gemin, and sister Susan Eveleth.