Stephen Williams

 

Stephen Williams, a former resident of Grand Marais, passed away peacefully in his home on September 26, 2021, after a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer. Stephen was born July 20, 1948 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Jack and Mary (Behrens) Williams. His early years were spent in Racine, Wisconsin. He loved the outdoors and thrived on playing on the banks of Lake Michigan with his brothers and sister. He was active in the Boy Scouts and belonged to the Elks Youth Band in Racine. As a teenager he could often be seeing working on old cars in his dad’s garage, even before he was old enough to drive. Stephen attended Horlick High School in Racine. After high school he attended the University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point, graduating in 1971, and later earned his teaching certificate from the University of Wisconsin- Parkside in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He was married to Jean Dusenbery on July 14, 1974, in Grafton, Wisconsin. The couple soon moved to Grand Marais, Minnesota, where they raised their family of three daughters. Steve was always more comfortable working in the woods, than sitting behind a desk. He enjoyed boating, camping, and taking long walks with his family and one or two of the many dogs he shared his life with. Steve worked for the United States Forest Service in various positions in timber management from 1977- 2009. His legacy includes over 35,000 acres of trees planted in the Superior National Forest under his tour of duty. Steve also participated in wildland fire details throughout the country, specializing in helicopter operations. He is survived by his wife, Jean, three daughters, Sarah Williams, Erin (Sayer) Larson, and Kimberly (Jack) King, his grandchildren, Sawyer Larson, Emmett Larson, and Koraline King, brothers, John (Susan) Williams, David (Cathi) Williams, sister, Mary Jane (Bill) Huggins, and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 3, 2021, at 2:30 p.m. at the United Protestant Church, 17 Horn Boulevard, Silver Bay. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society. To share your memories or condolences please visit www.cavallinfuneralhome.com.