Norman "Willie" Dale Williams

Norman was born in Visalia, California on February 5, 1933 in their house on Enterprise Road and was named by his Aunt Mary. In 1946 his family moved to Garverville, California where he attended 6th, 7th and 8th grades and graduated from Lakeside Elementary in Hanford, CA. He attended Hanford High School where he was active in football, basketball and baseball. In 1951 he married Dorothy Rogers in Tulare. Norman was very proud of obtaining his high school diploma from Tulare Adult School in 1968. He joined the United States Navy in 1952 and served in the Korean War, on North Island for two years and completed his service aboard the USS Hancock in 1956. Following his discharge Norman went to work for the City of Tulare as a Police Officer for 14 years. From 1961 to 1962 he attended the Police Academy at College of Sequoias. During his tenure, he was privileged to escort President John F. Kennedy off the train in Tulare. He was also privileged to meet Peter Lawford and Senator Humphrey. Norman was very proud of being able to meet President Ronald Reagan, Brenda Lee, Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. He would work the WWF wrestling events in Tulare where he met Pepper Gomez and later enjoyed taking his grandchildren to the WWF sporting events in Fresno. Norman left the police department and went to work for the City of Tulare as the night street sweeper for the street maintenance department. He retired in 1995 after 39 years of service. Norman married Ruthie Welch on May 7, 1976 in Caruthers, CA. They celebrated 28 years of marriage. She preceded him in death in 2004. Norman married Joyce Ellis in Lake Tahoe, CA in April of 2005. When his son, Bob was small he coached little league and he often worked numerous jobs to provide for his family. On summer vacations he would drive a cotton picker to buy school clothes for his children. Norman loved to garden and take care of his yard, ride his bicycle all over Tulare and could be found at almost all of the sporting events for Tulare Union High School and Tulare Western High School. He was equally proud of both schools. Norman is a longtime member of the Tulare Amvets Post 56. Norman will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Norman was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Bessie and an infant brother, Joe Kenneth Williams.

Norman leaves to cherish his member, his wife, Joyce Ellis of Tulare; his four children, Elizabeth “Punkie” Fletcher of Tulare, Robert (Bob) and wife, Marian Williams of Camarillo, CA, Alisa Trujillo of Tulare and Vanessa Wright and husband, Glenn of Tulare; three sisters, Mary Mosher of Tollhouse, Ca, Peggy Harland and husband, Bob and Connie McBride and husband, Mac, all of Fresno, CA; his very special grandchildren, Chad Fletcher and wife, Kristy, Louis Trujillo, Steven Trujillo, Zachary Wright and Amie Trujillo; and his loving great grandchildren, Blake Fletcher, Payton Fletcher, Jason Fletcher, Dustin Johnson-Fletcher, Justine Davis-Fletcher, Chasity Trujillo, Landyn Trujillo and Raydin Trujillo and numerous extended family members.

Visitation will be held at Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Avenue in Visalia, CA on Sunday , June 26, 2011 from 3 – 7 p.m. Celebration of Life services will be held on Monday, June 27, 2011 at 10 a.m. at Miller Memorial Chapel in Visalia. Burial will follow at the Tulare Cemetery, 900 E. Kern Street in Tulare.

Condolences may be offered at www.peoplesfuneralchapel.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Avenue in Visalia, CA 93291 (559) 732-8371