On Feb. 18, Rickey Dean McWilliams, age 65, was at home in Oak Harbor, Wash., with loving family when he went to see his Lord after a hard fight against a rare form of cancer. He was given last rites in the morning, and passed in the afternoon.
Rick was born Oct. 19, 1951, in Tulia, Texas, to parents, Gloria Lou (Pebsworth) and Thomas Darrell McWilliams. He was looked up to by his sister Darla Mihalik (Steve) of Waterville, Minn., and brother Mark McWilliams (Margie) of Anchorage, Alaska.
Rick graduated from high school in the class of 1970 in Silverton, Texas. He also graduated from Southwest Business College in Plainview, Texas. Upon graduation, he relocated to Birmingham, Ala., and worked as a court reporter for the Alabama court system.
Rick moved to Anchorage, Alaska, in 1974, and co-owned Alaska Stenotype Reporters, Inc. with business partner Fred Getty.
In 1981, Rick married the love of his life, Elizabeth Ann Crowson. They shared 35 years of marriage and were truly each other’s best friend.
Rick enjoyed fishing, cheering for the Dallas Cowboys, road trips with Elizabeth and spending time with his family.
In addition to his wife, mother, sister and brother, Rick is survived by two sons: Parker Darrell, residing in Anchorage, and Preston James (Nichole) of Oak Harbor. He was a loving, doting Papa to Jacob Anthony, Felix Alexander, Jaxon Bryce and Riley Isabelle. Papa’s fifth grandchild, Ricky Orion, his namesake, will be born in May.
Rick’s extended family also feel a great loss: Jerry Crowson (brother-in-law) and Jean Stuercken (sister-in-law), both of Oak Harbor; Gary and Celia Larson (brother-in-law and sister-in-law) of Washougal, Wash.; Bill and Kathy Brown (brother-in-law and sister-in-law) of Vancouver, Wash.; Robert and Anna Crowson (brother-in-law and sister-in-law) of Washougal, Wash.; Mindy Saladino of Oak Harbor; and numerous aunts and uncles in Texas.
Also mourning Rick’s loss is his longtime business partner Fred Getty and his wife Susan, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, as well as Rick’s eight nephews, seven nieces and one goddaughter. Last of all, Rick leaves behind his beloved dog of 17 years, Abigail.
Rick was preceded in death by grandparents Glen and Eva Lee McWilliams and Marshall H. Pebsworth and Norma Shoemake, his father Thomas Darrell, son Marshall Glen and nephew Clayton Brown.
Elizabeth will host a celebration of Rick’s life for family and friends at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at their home. A mass will be dedicated to Rick at the 9 a.m. service Friday, March 10, at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in Oak Harbor.
