Garold Richardson Williams

Garold "Garry" Richardson Williams, 79, a resident of the Carlton community passed away on Tuesday December 27, 2016 while on vacation in Maui, Hawaii.
A Celebration of Life at 11 a.m. on Saturday February 25, 2017 at St. Edward Catholic Church in North Plains.
Garry was born on June 16, 1937 in Portland, OR.  He was the oldest of two sons born to Hugh and Mary L. (Heckbert) Williams. He was raised in Beavercreek on the 100 acre family farm. He attended the one room Schuebel schoolhouse and graduated from Oregon City High School in 1955.
In 1955 he married Nancy Ziegler, of Portland.  They made their home in Clallam Bay, Washington where Garry enlisted in the US Coast Guard. He finished his service at the Hammond base on the Oregon coast with the rank of Engineman 3rd class. Following his career, the family moved to Bend, where Garry went to work for Eastern Oregon Mills selling agricultural equipment and irrigation systems. Continuing his work and passion in the irrigation business, in the late 1960's he settled in Scholls, on a 40 acre farm, raising 6 children and raising/showing (up to) 26 Arabian horses that he had accumulated along the way. He also worked for Hillsboro Farm Equipment. In 1982 Garry opened his own business, Tualatin Valley Irrigation Co., later known as TVI Sports. His wife Nancy passed away unexpectedly in 1982.
Garry married Mary Lou Keenan (Churchwell) in 1983. Together they built the largest lawn and garden store on the west side of Portland. They lived on a 15 acre farm in Mountaindale and continued raising children and horses. They later moved to Hillsboro close to their business.  Garry and Mary sold their business in 2000 and semi-retired to a 20 acre ranch in Carlton, Oregon. Mary passed away in 2007.
Garry then spent his time working on his ranch with family and friends, as well as buying and selling a few golf carts and other equipment.
Garry was a tough cowboy to the end and left this world with honor, love and grace and is already on his next adventure. He was a thoughtful, caring man who enjoyed teasing his family and friends, telling stories and socializing. He loved hard work and never stopped working even as his health declined. Garry was always active and "never let any grass grow under his feet".  He enjoyed traveling to the coast and also to Lake Billy Chinook. He cherished his grandchildren and attended a lot of their sporting events and shows at the county fair. He will surely be missed.
He is preceded in death by his wives; Nancy and Mary Lou and his parents.
He is survived by his six children and their spouses; Lisa Hughes of Sandy, Kip and Gayle Williams of Portland, Ric Williams and his significant other, Debbie Gillespie both of Beaverton, Tod Williams of Forest Grove, Tia and Joe Wren of Banks, Amy and Eric Vandehey of North Plains, four step children and their spouses; Jeani Ramos of Beaverton, Diane and Mark Bernards of Yamhill, Maureen Holverson of Carlton, Michael Landry of Beaverton, a brother and sister-in-law; Michael and Mimi Williams of Klamath Falls, a niece; Cathy, twenty four grandchildren and thirty great grandchildren, all of whom who will miss him greatly.
The family suggest donations in Garry's name to the American Lung Association.