February 26, 1942 - May 10, 2018
Keith Gardner Williams passed away peacefully due to complications related to Alzheimer's on May 10.
Keith was a longtime teacher/principle in the Pierce School District and most recently the Natomas District. Keith was born in Vallejo on Feb. 26, 1942. He graduated from Vallejo High School and then California State University, Hayward, earning his Bachelor's in Education.
Shortly after graduation from Hayward State he joined the Peace Corps and was sent to Bolivia from 1965-1967.
Upon returning from Bolivia, he took a teaching job in Napa, where he met his future wife, Christine Frye. They married in 1968 and began life together living in Sacramento. Keith was attending California State University, Sacramento earning his Master's degree in Education. He and Chris then taught school in New Zealand until June of 1970. They returned to California and settled in Dunnigan.
Upon their arrival in Dunnigan they welcomed their first child and shortly thereafter welcomed two more children to complete their family. Keith worked in Education his entire adult life, as did his wife. He worked in all aspects of Education; elementary school, specializing in English as a second language, Vice Principle and Principle of several schools.
Due to his travels throughout South America, teaching English as a second language was very important to Keith. His travels also solidified his love of various cultures and the importance of language. Keith enjoyed spending time with his family, whether they were all at home or traveling to some foreign destination. In addition to foreign travels, he truly loved being out in nature, kayaking/canoeing, camping and fishing.
Frequent trips had been made to Butte Lake in Lassen National Park. Probably his most adventurous trip was backpacking from La Paz, Bolivia, over the Andes Mountains into the Amazon basin in Brazil. In retirement he and Chris both enjoyed many trips abroad. These included traveling to New Zealand, Australia, Scotland, Suriname, cruises along the Alaskan coastline as well as going up the Amazon River.
Keith was an active member in the Dunnigan Volunteer Fire Department, first as volunteer fireman then as a commissioner. He also served on the Dunnigan town council, Grand Jury for Yolo County, and later was appointed to the Yolo County Planning Commission Board.
Keith is survived by his wife, Christine; children, Garth Williams (Katherine Hanke), Anissa Perrou (Scott) and Seth Williams; grandchildren, Taggart Williams, Ailsa, Alia and Ayla Perrou. Keith was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Ruth Williams; brother, Dennis Williams; brother-in-law, Craig Frye, and grandson, Aidan Perrou.
A service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, June 1, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 515 Second St., Woodland. There will be a reception immediately following at St. Luke's. The family has requested donations be directed to Grimes Elementary School, P.O. Box 30, Grimes CA 95950 or Dunnigan Volunteer Fire Department.
Published in Daily Democrat from May 25 to June 1, 2018