Floyd ‘Sa-layqua’ Williams, 84, a longtime resident and tribal leader of the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe passed away on Tuesday, November 7, 2007 at the Life Care Center of Skagit Valley in Sedro-Woolley.
Floyd was born on September 3, 1923 near Concrete, Washington, one of 13 children of George & Alice Edwards Williams. He was raised and attended grade school in Concrete.
During WW II Floyd served his country in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany where he documented photographs and records.
After his discharge in 1945 he returned to Washington and worked for Northern Pacific Rail Road doing track repair land also in the logging industry for several years. He then worked for Boeing and then in Tribal Law Enforcement.
In 1963 Floyd was united in marriage to Bessie Hewonkork in Concrete and they made their home in King County for several years until moving to Eastern Washington where Floyd worked as a foreman at a furniture manufacturing facility and as a truck driver for the Department of Agriculture. In 1974 they returned to Skagit County.
Floyd has been active in Upper Skagit Indian Tribe affairs for over 40 years. He was instrumental in obtaining the property for the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe Reservation and in the construction of the Skagit Valley Casino at Bow. He also has served as a tribal chairman for the Upper Skagit Tribe for over 20 years.
Floyd is survived by his children; twins Roland & Sam Mason, twins Norman & Norma Williams and Tom Williams, Sr. 6 step-children, Gary Paul, Virgil, Rueben and Cheryl Mathias, Naida Lefthand and Edmond Mathias, Sr. 1 brother, Sherman Williams, Sr.; 3 sisters, Elsie Baker, Tina KingGeorge and Geraldine Williams and numerous grandchildren, step-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Bessie in 1999, 6 brothers and 2 sisters.
Prayer Services will be held on Monday, November 12, 2007 at 7:00 PM with Funeral Services on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at 10:00 AM at the Upper Skagit Tribal Recreational Center in Sedro-Woolley with John Cayou officiating. Interment with full Military Honors will follow at the Hamilton Indian Cemetery. Visitation is available at and services under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.