In Memoriam

Sandy Williams’ Eulogy
Written by David Williams, Sandy's son

There is so much to say about the life of Sandy Williams. She was a bright star that shined light in every life she touched. Her love of family and friends knew no bounds. She loved to travel both abroad and around the US, taking RV trips and making new friends wherever she went.

Sandy was born in Auburn, New York, in 1945. When she was still a baby, her parents moved to Wichita, Kansas. The trip was made in an old Model T Ford with baby Sandy riding in the back window recess. Sandy often spoke about that. It’s where her love of travel began.

While in Wichita, her mother, Amy, had 2 more children, Shirley and Jeff. At some point Sandy and Shirley shared the basement as their bedroom. There has been many a story about drawing a line down the middle of the room to set boundaries - and no crossing the line! Sandy and her family lived in Wichita until she was 12, when her father Dale answered an ad in the Wichita paper for a mechanic job at Howard Eddy Ford in Concord, CA. The family sold everything and drove to California.

Once in California Sandy attended Mt. Diablo High School. That’s where she met her future husband, Ken. As freshmen, they had Earth Sciences together. At the end of the school year in Sandy’s 1960 yearbook, she found Ken had written “To a girl I always liked.” Sandy’s reaction was, “Who the heck is that?” It wasn’t until 1962, as Juniors, that Sandy and Ken started going “steady.” They were inseparable from then on and graduated in 1963.

After high school Sandy attended Sacramento State for a year. Returning to Concord, she got a job at Diablo Valley College in the Secretarial Center. Sandy had a long career at DVC, working up from various positions as a typist to secretary including Administrative Assistant for the Assistant Dean of Instruction. Sandy made many friends while working for the college district, and finished her career working at CHE in San Ramon, retiring in July of 1998 after 34 years. Beyond retirement she continued to enjoy her college friends’ company at the retiree luncheons.

Sandy and Ken were married in February 1965, at St. Michaels & All Angels Church. They bought their home in Concord soon after. While managing her career, Sandy also started a family. Her son, David, was born in March of 1969. Being a new mom, there were often calls to her own mother asking for advice and help. Somehow Sandy figured it out and raised David, of whom she was very proud.

Sandy loved camping with Ken and her family. They would fish, water ski and dance around the campfire. Sandy truly enjoyed the outdoors, being on the lake and the beauty of nature. Sandy and her family took many driving trips across country, visiting family and friends from California to New York and taking vacations with some cruises to Alaska, Mexico and Panama.

In 1987, Sandy and Ken joined the Sportsmen Yacht Club and bought a cabin cruiser which Ken named, the “Sandra Lee.” Sandy made many new friends at the club, and they formed an RV group as well. Fishing on the Delta and cruises were always a good time. It was almost a guarantee Sandy would catch the biggest fish. Catching a 34-pound salmon in their latest boat out of Crescent City was one of her biggest highlights and gave the boat its name “Bent Net,” the fish bending the net, it was so big.

After retiring, Sandy and Ken would travel with their close friends across the globe. Europe was one of Sandy’s favorite places to go. She enjoyed historic sites like Edenborough Castle and the islands of Greece, even getting lost and returning late to the tour bus a time or two.

Sandy’s love of family continued to show after the birth of her three granddaughters, Casey, Brandy and Leslie. With David in the Navy and stationed on the East coast, Sandy would make the most of every visit, spending time with her granddaughters, playing games, going for walks and of course, the shopping trips.

Sandy was blessed with four great-grandchildren. She and Ken made several trips to visit them in Wisconsin, including this past summer. She loved to play and laugh with them and doted on them often.

Sandy was a strong, resilient person and overcame several illnesses and surgeries throughout her life, always bouncing back and then off on another adventure. She was a fighter, and her strong Christian faith always kept her going.

Christmas was one of Sandy’s favorite times of year. She enjoyed the many traditions passed down by her parents and started some new ones, like Cornish game hens for Christmas dinner. Spending time and celebrating with family and friends always brought her joy.

Sandy loved going to Church at St. Michaels. She belonged to St. Julia’s Guild and helped where she could. She often spoke about the Grant Street Players’ performances, and how the sound would fill the church. Though the name changed, this church has always been a special place for Sandy. We believe, through our faith, that she has gone to Heaven to be with her Lord and reunite with her beloved parents, Amy and Dale. She died at peace with family by her side.

Sandy with Ken at the 2001 picnic

Services were held at the Holy Spirit Episcopal Church on November 9, 2024.
Many friends from Sportsmen Yacht Club were in attendance.

Sandy was SYC First Lady in 1993 during Ken's term as Commodore,
and First Mate on the vessel "Sandra Lee", a Sun Runner 23.