Obituary of Philip Williams

Philip Williams, 65, of Olympia, Washington passed into glory on August 3, 2019. He was born James Philip Williams (named after his Uncle Jim but always called Philip) in Fort Worth, Texas, the second son of Jerrol and Helen Williams. The family moved to Illinois and from there to Tournata, Liberia where his parents taught for RG LeTourneau . When they returned from Liberia the family lived in Colorado and New Mexico before settling in Orange, California. Philip received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of California Fullerton and his masters degree in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling from Biola University. It was at Biola where he met his wife, Jayna. In 1980, Philip and Jayna were married the First Southern Baptist Church of Orange. Together they have two daughters. Philip was employed by LG Steck Memorial Clinic in Chehalis as the licensed mental health therapist. Prior to that he worked for Behavioral Health Resources in Lacey. At one time he also taught in the Master of Arts in Counseling program at St Martins University in Lacey. Philip was an elder and church moderator at Westwood Baptist Church in Olympia where he also taught the Gideon’s Torch Bible Fellowship class and lead the bible study for the bible fellowship teachers, affectionately known within the family as the Sunday School Teachers Secret Bible Study. His preparation for teaching included writing comprehensive lessons each week for both the teachers and students. Teaching was his gift and bible teaching was where that gift shown brightest. As a teacher and a leader he believed in always being prepared to teach or share. To be blessed is to know that God is as close as the air you breathe. Because of his medical history, Philip knew that every breath is a gift and the next breath is not guaranteed. He lived Micah 6:8 seeking to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly. Philip loved to travel and was already planning the next adventure. He was an avid photographer and loved capturing macro details and panoramic landscapes and sunsets. He was a skilled woodworker and craftsman. Philip is survived by his beloved wife Jayna; their daughter Melissa and her husband Luke and their children Colin and Clementine of Olympia; and their daughter Amy of Olympia. He also leaves his mother Helen of Orange CA and four brothers Tom and his wife Karen of Beaumont, CA; Mike and his wife Charley of Encinitas, CA; Darrel and his wife Cherie of Winchester, TN, and David of Orange, CA. He also leaves several nieces and nephews and their families. He was predeceased by his father Jerrol. Memorial service and celebration of Philip’s life will be held August 13, 2019 7 pm at Westwood Baptist Church 333 Kaiser Rd NW, Olympia, WA 98502. Gifts in Philip’s memory can be made to: https://converge.org/missionary/jon-beka-watson Arrangements by McComb and Wagner Funeral Home