Dean Deveaux Williams

b. 1 April 1916, d. 14 August 2002
  • Dean Deveaux Williams was born on 1 April 1916 in Ritzville, Adams County, Washington.
  • The following appeared on 15 November 1918 in The Sprague Advocate: Mrs. R. D. Williams of Fishtrap died Monday evening of influenza-pneumonia. Several other members of the Williams household are ill with the epidemic. The obituary following give the facts concerning Mrs. Williams's life. Edith A. Mills was born at Bismark, N. D. Feb 6, 1884. She was the oldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Alec Mills. At seven years of age she came with her parent to Washington and has lived in or near Sprague since 1894. She attended the rural school near her home and later entered the Sprague High School from which she graduated with the class of 1903. During school days her gentle friendly ways and quiet helpfulness made her beloved among her follow student. Gifted with a bright mind and a studious disposition she early entered the teaching profession. After teaching a number of terms in the rural schools she was appointed Deputy Superintendent of County Schools by Miss Margaret Craig and served four years in that capacity. For three succeeding this she taught in the Sprague Public Schools. Her work whether in school room or office was always of the high standard which is the result of earnest endeavor and serious devotion to duty. Many fine young lives with which she came in contact as a teacher will bear witness to the impression made upon them by her noble character. She was united in marriage at Ritzville, Jul 18, 1912, to R. D. Williams of Fishtrap, Washington and since that time resided at the Lake. Two years ago a little son, Dean, came to bless their home. Mrs. Williams was a member of the Congregational Church in which she was always a sincere and earnest worker. Her death coming so suddenly just when life seemed at its fullest and best is a sad blow to the entire community and especially to her bereaved family. Besides her devoted husband and little son, she leaves her parents; Mr. and Mrs. Alec Mills, brothers Arthur and Robert, and sisters Alta and Aileen to mourn her early departure. A large number of relatives and friends extend sympathy to these sorrowing ones. Her life of thirty four years seem short indeed but measured by it's usefulness it was long for it was crowded with good deeds and devotion to duty and characterized by gentleness and thotfullness for others. Her loved presence will be missed among us but her tender memory will linger a a benediction bringing peace and comfort to the sorrowing hearts of her loved ones. She was laid to rest Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 13. in the Maccabee Cemetery, Rev. Faulkner officiating.
  • After the death of her sister Edith, Alta Mills Parks raised her son Dean Williams.
  • Alexander Mills and Emma Winston Parrott appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Ritzville, Adams County, Washington, at 33 Sixth Street. Other members of the household included Dean Deveaux Williams, Allene Leone Mills. Rooming in the household was high school teacher Clara Post, age 25.
  • Johanna Stahle Williams Gaertner was photographed about 1926 surrounded by many members of her large family.
  • Robert Deveaux Williams appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Sprague, Lincoln County, Washington, at First Street. Other members of the household included Dean Deveaux Williams, Alexander Mills and Emma Winston Parrott. Robert and son Dean also are enumerated in 1930 in adjacent Adams County.
  • Robert Deveaux Williams appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Keystone Precinct, Adams County, Washington. Other members of the household included Dean Deveaux Williams. Also in the household were nephew Robert Stone, age 16, and dairy farm laborer Harry Inman. Robert and son Dean also are enumerated in 1930 in adjacent Lincoln County.
  • The following appeared on 2 February 1956 in the Ritzville Journal-Times: Funeral services for Mrs. Emma W. Mills, 96-year-old Inland Empire pioneer who died here Monday, were held Wednesday at the Sprague Community church with burial at Greenwood cemetery, Spokane. She was living in Sprague with a daughter, Mrs. Park N. Smalley.
         Mrs. Mills and her husband, Alexander Mills, came to Washington from North Dakota in 1892. They lived at Tacoma and Pullman before settling on a farm near Sprague.
         Later they moved to Ritzville where they lived for 12 years. Since her husband's death in 1936, Mrs. Mills had lived both with Mrs. Smalley in Sprague and with another daughter, Mrs. Richard B. Ott, in Ritzville.
         Mrs. Mills was a member of Henrietta chapter of the Order of Eastern Star at Sprague and had been a member of the Espicopal church, later. Mrs. Mills also was survived by two sons, T. A. Mills of Sprague and R. H. Mills of Spokane, three grandchildren, Dean D. Williams of Portland, Don M. Smalley of Santa Barbara, Calif., and Mrs. Willard Hennings of Ritzville, and five grandchildren.
         Another daughter, Mrs. R. D. Williams, had preceded her in death.
         Danekas and Duncan funeral home was in charge of arrangments.
  • Dean Deveaux Williams died on 14 August 2002 at age 86.
  • The following appeared on 20 August 2002 in The Spokesman-Review: (Spokane) No services will be held for Dean Deveaux Williams, 86, at his request. Danekas Funeral Home in Ritzville, Wash., is in charge of arrangements.
         Mr. Williams, who was born in Ritzville, died Wednesday. He was a 22-year resident of Spokane.
         He grew up in Sprague, Wash., and graduated from high school there in 1933. He attended Washington State College for two years and then graduated from UCLA with a degree in chemical engineering in 1941. He married Carol McKee in 1942.
         Mr. Williams worked for Douglas Aircraft, Northrup and North American during World War II. He later worked for L. I. Butcher and Co. in Los Angeles, Portland and San Francisco. Beginning in 1967 he worked as a project engineer overseeing the installation of metal finishing facilities in France, Scotland, Denmark and Saudi Arabia. He retired in 1980 and moved to Spokane.
         He was a charter member of the Society of Aerospace Material and Process Engineers. He also was a member of the American Electroplaters Society, the American Chemical Society and Theta Chi fraternity.
         Survivors include two daughters, Diane Williams of Mill Valley, Calif., and Teri Thomas of Park City, Utah; his former wife of 25 years, Carol Gable; and two grandchildren.
  • Last Edited: 14 Feb 2014