Bruce Vance Williams, 84, died Oct. 15, 2005 at Homeplace of Oak Harbor. Bruce was born Feb. 2, 1921 in Hot Springs, Ark., to John Fletcher and Odell Frances (Long) Williams.

Bruce was raised in Eudora, Ark. In high school, Bruce was active in sports, including baseball and track and playing quarterback with the football team. After graduation he was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and was assigned to a work center in Iowa.

Bruce was a World War II veteran. He entered the U.S. Marine Corps on June 5, 1942. Following boot camp in San Diego Bruce was sent to NAS Whidbey Island. While stationed here, he met his future wife Caroline DeVries at her parents’ home in Oak Harbor. Bruce was transferred to Atu, Alaska, back to Whidbey and then on to Camp Lejuene, N.C. He and Caroline were married Lake Village, Ark., on Oct. 3, 1944. Bruce was transferred back to Whidbey and he was released from active duty on June 14, 1946 as a staff sergeant. He was a very proud Marine.

Bruce and Caroline made Oak Harbor their permanent home. Bobbie, David, Rick and Joe were born in Oak Harbor. Bruce fished in Alaska for a time. He worked for a time in the Engineering Department at NAS Whidbey. He also worked for Ed Fakkema and Bernard Riksen at the Standard Oil distributorship in San DeFuca and for Puget Power as a groundman. He even worked part-time for Allen Vanderzicht at his gas station on Pioneer Way.

In 1962, Bruce bought a working share of Anacortes Veneer Co. in Anacortes, where he served as a millwright. In 1977, Bruce became disabled and was medically retired. He was a member of the Oak Harbor First United Methodist Church and the Whidbey Golf and Country Club.. Bruce enjoyed golf, hunting and fishing.

Caroline, his wife of sixty-one years, survives him. He is survived by four children and their spouses: Bobbie Johnson and husband Joe of Oak Harbor; David Williams and wife Maggie of San Rafael, Calif.; Rick. Williams and wife Gerri of Oak Harbor; and Joe Williams and wife Cynthia of Ward, Colo. Six grandchildren: John R. Williams, Jr. and wife Denise of Lemoore, Calif.; Jennifer Haines and husband Tony of Indianapolis, Ind.; Caleb Williams and Seth Williams; both of Denver, Micah Williams of Nederland, Colo., and Carissa Williams of Ward, Colo., and three great grandchildren: Amber, Abigail and Alexander Haines, all of Indianapolis, also survive.

Funeral services for Bruce Williams will be held Friday, Oct. 21, at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Oak Harbor with Pastor David Lura officiating. Graveside services will proceed at 10:30 a.m. at Maple Leaf Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held at Burley Funeral Chapel on Thursday, Oct. 20, from noon to 8 p.m. A reception for family and friends will follow the services at Centennial Hall at the church. Memorials for Bruce William may be made to the Oak Harbor First United Methodist Church Endowment Fund. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.