Sherman Williams, Sr.
‘Kaya xod’
Sunrise May 22, 1927 – Sunset May 21, 2008
Born in Concrete, WA, he was an enrolled member of the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe. Survived by his loving wife of 65+ years, Arlene Mary Heck Williams; Sons, Sherman, Jr. and Marilyn Williams, Terry and Mary Williams; Daughters, Frances and Felix Victor, Sharri and Steve Spane, Lori and Allen Revey; all living in Sedro-Woolley, WA. Grandchildren, Scotty, Sammy, Lynn, Lorena, Sherman III, Shelly, John, Adrianne, Ricky, Angela, Francine, Guy, Mary Jo, Luciean, Isadore III, Lawrence, Jamie, Nancy and Maria. Sisters, Elsie Baker, Tina King George and Geraldine Williams. 25 Great-Grandchildren, 1 Great-Great-Grandchild and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.
Preceded in death by his parents George and Alice Williams, Son, Arlen Williams; Daughters, Margene Tome, Grandson, Ernie Revey; Sisters, Evelyn and Ruby; Brothers, Floyd, Alexander ‘Pike’, Ronald, Edward, Marvin, Richard and Larry.
After getting married in Montesano, WA, they began their family and lived in Queets, WA. He worked as a timber faller in the Aberdeen, Queets, Taholah area for many years. Then moved his family to the Skagit Valley and continued his life as a commercial fisherman for years and raising children to learn their tribal history. He became one of Upper Skagit’s tribal spiritual healers, served as a cultural elder advisor for the tribe and was the elder advisor of the Upper Skagit Smokehouse organization. He was a traditional leader that served the Pacific Northwest Tribes and Canada. He served as an elder teacher for hunting, fishing, bark gathering, traditional medicine and berry picking. He was licensed in Washington state as an ordained minister. He worked hard as a witness to establish the Upper Skagit tribes traditional treaty rights usual and accustomed territory. He had all the history shared by his grandparents as he was raised on the Skagit River in Concrete /Rockport, WA. The tribe established in his name the Kaya xod landing on the South side of the Skagit River at Loretta Creek in dedication of the work he did for the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe.
Prayer Services will be held on Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 7:00 PM with Funeral Services on Monday, May 26, 2008, at 10:00 AM at the Upper Skagit Tribal Gymnasium with John Cayou and Joe McCoy officiating. Interment will follow at the Hamilton Indian Cemetery. Visitation is available at the services under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
