Denise Williams

Denise was born and spent her early childhood in Vermont. She lived in California, Bend, Portland, the Puget Sound area and Salem, Oregon. She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1967 and went on to earn a degree in mechanical engineering. She had a long, successful career with Boeing.

Denise had significant health challenges throughout her life and met them head on with courage, determination, and hope. She loved life and demonstrated optimism over the course of many difficult and chronic health issues. She passed away at the age of 71 after having had a stroke.

Denise had a generous and adventurous spirit. She believed in giving to others and had many volunteer jobs. While living in Puyallup, WA, she volunteered as a Girl Scout Leader and worked with the Special Olympics through Boeing. After she retired, Denise continued to help others and volunteered with the Salem Police Department's Domestic Violence Response Team and Handicapped Parking Enforcer. She volunteered with the Play for the Cure Organization for several years.

Denise's love for art first showed itself in her oil paintings and later in quilting and all things sewing. She loved being with her sewing friends, and attending local American Sewing Guild events.

Denise is survived by her daughter, Nia (Felissa), grandsons, Patrick and Mykael, sisters, Chris (Chuck) and Mary (Jim), brother, Mike (Barb). She was predeceased by her parents, Ida and Patrick Williams.

There will be a Celebration of Life on January 3rd, 2020 from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm at Johnson Funeral Home (134 Missouri Ave S, Salem OR). In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Play for the Cure Organization. The Play for the Cure hosts softball tournaments to raise money to help prevent financial burdens from interfering with an individual's ability to continue with breast cancer treatments.