Lew Williams

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Llewelyn Lloyd Williams, Jr., also known as Lew, 96 years young, passed on Aug. 12, 2015, surrounded by his immediate family.

Lew grew up in Orange and was a 1938 graduate of Orange High School. He also attended Fullerton Junior College and UCLA and remained a huge Bruins fan.

Williams loved the ocean and moved to Hawaii to take a defense related position in 1941, and was there during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. In 1945, he met Ethel Gorelangton while they both were working at Pan American Airways in Honolulu.

Married in 1946, they moved to Laguna Beach in 1947 where Williams bought Forest Market. Selling the market back to Mr. Burkes in 1950, Williams became a carpenter and retired from the union after 25 years. Williams was a member of Neighborhood Congregational Church, and served there in a number of capacities including as deacon and house and grounds chair.

Williams also was a board member of the YMCA in Laguna Niguel; he started the Indian Guides program in town and initiated a youth employment agency.

His retirement consisted of a daily walk to the gazebo in Heisler Park and a 2 p.m. beach appointment at Crescent Bay where he body surfed and snorkeled. He varied the routine only when Ethel said they must travel.

Williams’ friendliness and storytelling earned him many friends and acquaintances in Laguna Beach. He is survived by his wife, Ethel; son, Russell, and daughter, Lynn; four grandchildren; and one great grandchild.

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