David S. Williams

David Samuel Williams age 89 of Norman, OK passed away Tuesday November 24, 2015, at Norman Regional Hospital from an extended illness. He was born October 16, 1926 in Purcell, Oklahoma. He was the youngest of two children born to David Skelton Williams and Mattie Carolyn (Kimberlin) Williams. David grew up in Purcell and in 1940 his family was chosen to represent Oklahoma as "Family of the Year" delegates to the New York City World's Fair. While attending Purcell High School, he was chosen to receive a summer music scholarship to attend the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. David graduated from Purcell High School with the class of 1944. He was a pilot in the U. S. Army Air Corp and proudly served his country during the Korean War and rose to the rank of Lt. Colonel. David attended the University of Oklahoma and graduated with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Music and a minor in Mathematics in 1950. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and played trumpet for the OU Marching Band. He pursued graduate studies at Stanford Law School and New York University and was also a Past Adjunct Professor at Stanford Law School, Arizona State University and the University of New Mexico. During the late 1960's, he attended La Salle University Law School where he received his Juris Doctor in 1968. David was well known within the Insurance Industry. He was Branch Manager for USF&G Insurance Companies for 22 years, and then became Executive Vice President and COO of Eldorado General Insurance Group. From 1978 to 1988 he was Chairman, President and CEO of Homeland International Group, San Jose, CA and five insurance and service subsidiaries in the U.S., Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. He was Chairman and CEO of Remote Data Solutions, Inc., San Francisco, from 1981 to 1990. In 1989, David and his wife, Jean, moved back home to Oklahoma and settled in Norman. He continued to be involved in the insurance industry and served as a Board Member for multiple companies. David was also an underwriting member of Lloyd's of London. On January 11, 1951, David married the love of his life, Gloria Jean Trudgeon. Together they were married 53 years and raised four children; Mellanie, Kimberly, Randy and Gary. He traveled frequently but always found time to attend their many baseball, softball, football, swimming, and horseback riding activities. During those many years they lived in various states including, St. Petersburg, VA, Denver, CO, Albuquerque, NM, San Jose and Saratoga, CA. David and Jean's professional and business careers took them all over the world. They cherished the many wonderful friends that they met and always stayed in close contact with them. He and Jean attended all of their Purcell High School reunions together and were often found cheering on the Sooners during Oklahoma University football games. Throughout his life, David was actively involved in the field of music. He started playing trumpet very young and became a very accomplished musician. He played all of the brass instruments and could even play a few pieces on the piano. At 14 he was invited to attend a summer program for young musicians at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. He played trumpet and saxophone for the Purcell High School Band and also the Univ. of Oklahoma, "Pride of Oklahoma" Band. He played trumpet with Les Brown's Orchestra when Doris Day was the vocalist and they became life long friends. He also played with Glenn Miller and also met Louis Armstrong. When the insurance business moved him to Albuquerque, NM, he played with a well known Dixieland Band (McCoskey's Dixieland All Stars) and they produced 3 albums. When he was transferred to San Jose, CA, he joined a popular band known as "The Leratones" where they played for Apple Computer's first Christmas party and he got to meet Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. David was a Past President and Honorary Life Member of West Valley Rotary International in San Jose, CA and recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award. He was a member and President of the Board for the Bridge View United Methodist Church in Norman for many years. He was preceded in death by: Parents, David and Mattie Williams; Wife, Jean Williams Aug. 22, 2003; Sister, Marjorie Wagner - Jul 14, 2004; Son, Gary Williams Feb. 7, 2011; He is survived by: Three children, Randy Williams of the home in Norman, OK; Mellanie Blockie and husband Bill of San Jose, CA, Kimberly Williams-Berna and spouse Linda Berna-Williams of Del City, OK; A daughter-in-law, Susan Hawkins Williams of Kansas, OK; Five grandchildren, Kristin Keller and husband Ryan of San Jose, CA, Erin Colegrove and husband Joel of Paso Robles, CA, April Traynor and husband Andrew of Carlsbad, CA, Shelby Williams of San Diego, CA, Christopher Williams of Oklahoma City, OK Four great grandchildren, Summer and Lila Colegrove and Alyssa and Jason Keller Several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends. David, Dad, Grandad, and Great Grandad - you are loved and will be greatly missed. You will live in our hearts and memories forever. Memorial services will be at Wilson-Little Funeral Home Chapel in Purcell, OK. On Dec. 11, 2015 @ 2:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity.

David S. Williams

October 16, 1926 - November 24, 2015