Gary Michael Williams Sr.

Gary M. Williams Sr., 71 of Monarch Beach, California and Las Vegas, Nevada, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of August 2nd, 2023 in Los Angeles, California surrounded by his loving family.

Gary was born to Alfred and Virgina Williams on August 21st, 1951 in Detroit, Michigan. He was the youngest of 3 children. His passion for sports and music began at an early age. After watching the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show he convinced his parents to buy him a set of drums.

Music, playing drums, singing, songwriting, and connecting people were Gary’s passions. It was his dream of making it big in the industry that led him west from Detroit to the streets of Hollywood California the day after graduating High School. He threw himself into the hard work of chasing gigs and connecting with people. His stories of late-night drives home after shows, playing on other musician’s demos, pushing his drum set in shopping carts, broken down cars, and seeing his name in lights that sparked a twinkle in his eye unlike anything else. The adventures of being on the road with Little Richard were legendary. One of his best friends and former band mate, Mark Olson, was the keyboard player in the band Rare Earth. Gary sang background on a song Mark wrote on the “One World Album”, Underneath Gods Light.

In 1974 while Gary was visiting a friend in Las Vegas, he met the love of his life, Cheryl. They were married a year later, and moved back to California. In 1981, Gary retired from the Music Business. He had read an article in Money Magazine about an up and coming Franchise, Mail Boxes, Etc. In December of 1981, their son Gary Jr. was born. Soon after, Gary and Cheryl moved to Arizona and opened their first Mail Boxes, Etc. location. Everyone that knew Gary, knew of his passion for the American Dream; driven by his devotion to provide and set an example for his family. Gary and Cheryl became one of the first Area Franchisees for the company. After a year, Gary exceeded his franchise sales goals and they moved back to Southern California to expand the Business. In 1984, they partnered with Herb Goffstein, and added the New York Area to their franchise development dreams. They were very instrumental in the development of Mail Boxes,Etc., a franchise model ahead of its time that set out to compete with the US Postal Service. In a grassroots effort, they took their company (Mailboxes Coast to Coast) public on the New York Stock exchange in 1987, to drive the business to new heights. Along with going public that year, their beautiful twin daughters were born, Ashley Elizabeth and Michelle Lynn. Soon after, Herb retired and Gary and Cheryl extended their business in Southern California.

His fervor for business growth would later lead the company to even name a prestigious award after their efforts. “The Gary & Cheryl Williams Sales Award.” Over the decades in business, he helped hundreds if not thousands of entrepreneurs successfully start, operate, and grow their business. In April 2001, UPS bought Mail Boxes, Etc. That day Gary explained to Gary Jr, Ashley and Michelle …”their lives would be forever changed.” Throughout his career progression, he developed some of his most important, endearing, and strongest friendships. He often spoke about his work friends with the utmost respect and fondness.

Gary knew when to work hard, and when to have fun and enjoy life. He put as much effort into driving the family business forward as he did to planning family trips, singing at the top of his lungs on road trips, cheering at Raider games, going to the movies, and attending his grandchildren’s soccer games. His family motto of “do it right, or don’t do it all” was apparent in everything he did and something he

instilled in his children from an early age. As Gary would say “ everything I do, I do for my family”. He operated his life through the belief that with hard work and determination, anything was possible…

Gary is survived by his wife Cheryl and three children: Gary Jr., Ashley, her husband Jeffrey Haluck, Michelle, her husband Anthony D’Marco. Four beautiful grandchildren, George Alfred D’Marco, Jack F. D’Marco, Logan J. Haluck, and Finley R. Haluck, and two grand doggies Olive and Traeger. Sisters Sharon McGrew, husband Joseph McGrew, Carol Bond, her partner Lou Beafore. Nieces and Nephews, Kim and Jim Revnew, Patrick, Josh, Katie Revnew. Jeff,Jeff Jr.,Jacob,Jacqueline,Jordan Bond. Ryan and Linda McGrew, Grace, Abbey, and Nicolas McGrew. He is preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Virginia Williams.

Funeral at 2:00pm on August 12th, 2023 at Pacific View Cemetery followed by a Celebration of Life at 3:30pm at the Balboa Bay Club Resort. For those who wish to honor Gary’s lifelong passion to music and business. Please consider making a donation to your local Entrepreneur program and local school Music program.