Lowell Ernest Williams

He was born on October 22, 1940, in Salem, Oregon to Glady (Newton) and Lowell M. (Tiny) Williams. Lowell grew up in Salem, graduating from South Salem High School in 1958.

Lowell's parents moved to Portland shortly after he was born, where they lived before moving to Fairview Avenue in Salem. From there he attended McKinley Elementary, Leslie Middle School, and South Salem High School. He played football and ran track for South Salem, being part of a track relay team that held a city record for quite some time. He enlisted in the National Guard, serving six years.

Lowell loved music, seeing several big names throughout his life. He and his family continued to love music, as evidenced by his voluminous record collection. With a young family, he and LuAnn joined the Good Shepherd Church where he sang in the church choir, sang the liturgy on Sundays, and was a member of the church council. He would not tell you he was a Christian; he would show you he was a Christian. Lowell loved cars, belonging to a car club as a young man which ended up being the subject of many entertaining stories.

Lowell met LuAnn Barber on a blind date in 1961, and they married on October 12, 1963 in Junction City, Oregon. He worked as a driver for 7-up and then for Bradley Pies, delivering to most Salem restaurants before they opened for the day. He had a huge ring of keys to the various establishments. Finding himself with a young family, he decided to make an employment change, and he became an agent with Farmers Insurance. He started his business in Salem and eventually moved his business to Silverton for several years. He did come back to Salem where he finished out his remaining years as a Farmers agent before retiring in 2005.

Lowell and LuAnn have three daughters. The family spent many fun times camping and fishing until the girls started playing softball, which then became everyone's sport for the next several years. Lowell's daughters kept him busy and although he and LuAnn would get grief for not having a son, Lowell never fell into that, being happy and proud to be the dad of daughters. After the girls got older and were able to be home alone, he and LuAnn began traveling, starting with Cabo San Lucas. As much as he loved that trip, it wasn't until he and LuAnn started taking cruises to the Caribbean that he became a tropical professional. After several cruises to most ports in the Caribbean, they started going back to specific islands that they wanted to spend more time visiting. St. Thomas became one of those islands. Tons of fun in the sun with their friends and family. Lowell and LuAnn eventually bought an RV and started snow birding three months out of the year. They would stay with his cousin on his citrus/cattle ranch in Arizona. There he enjoyed eating oranges right from the trees and being a part-time ranch hand, getting up in the early hours with the rest of them.

In the mid-80's, Lowell, LuAnn and two other couples started up a sausage food booth called "Fat Schlag's." They were known at the Oregon State Fair and many other venues, such as Blues Fest in Portland. (In fact, Fat Schlag's is still up and running at a venue near you) They eventually sold the business and entered retirement, and they were asked if they wanted to work some events for Oregon Beverage Service, serving alcohol at different venues. Lowell thoroughly enjoyed those years, not batting an eye at long weekend hours, something he did up until a year ago.

Lowell eventually gained sons-in-law and two granddaughters who spent a lot of time hanging out at their grandparents' home, even driving themselves there after school when they were old enough to drive. The next generation of softball was much more involved with many long weekend tournaments and travel. Eventually, grandson's-in-law came into pay and a great-granddaughter and great-grandson were born into the family.

Lowell's life was rich in love. Through the good times and the hard times, he, LuAnn, and their three girls made the very best of it, creating life-long memories that seem to be most precious now. To his family, he was the very best husband, dad, and grandpa. His family meant the most to him and they never had a reason to doubt that.

His is survived by his wife of almost 61 years, LuAnn; his daughters and sons-in-law, Shannen and Don Harp, Sherlyn and Wade Adair, Sheila Williams and James Lake; grandchildren, Ashley and Beau Zimmerman and Courtney and Dominic Lario; great-grandchildren, Harper and Braxton; sisters Jan Drill and Julie Haas; sisters-in-law Joyce Barber; Vada Barber; Joanie Barber; and several nieces and nephews.

He left this world as he lived, with grace and dignity. He will be sorely missed until we can wrap our arms around him again.

A memorial service will be held a Howell, Edwards, Doerksen, 1350 Commercial St SE, Salem Oregon on Spetember 18, 2024 at 11 a.m.

Lowell joined his parents and other family members at Belcrest Cemetery in Salem. Assisting the family is Howell, Edwards, Doerksen.