Gary Lee Williams

Jun 16, 1944 -

Oct 29, 2021

Gary wasn't one to sit still. He regularly encouraged those he loved to "just keep moving." He was motivated to seek more: more knowledge and understanding, the next experience, the next career, a faster run time, a new bicycle trail. Having left this earth, Gary is still and resting now.

In 1953, at the age of 9, Gary moved with his family to homestead in Alaska. They settled in Anchor Point. Hard work was required to make a living where daily life meant no indoor bathroom or other conveniences.

Gary left Alaska to attend college, earning degrees in political science and in film, finishing with a master's in public administration from UAA. He wanted to make the world a better place, and public service was his venue.

His string of careers began with being a radio announcer. He had the voice for it. Moving on, he managed the family's hardware store and lumberyard, then became a newspaper publisher, city mayor, city manager, public television director, documentary filmmaker, purveyor of Alaska wildlife videos as the founder of Alaska Video Publishing, and a university administrator. His final professional role was with the KPB Coastal Management Program, protecting the coastal integrity of Alaska.

An avid runner, Gary often covered 10-plus miles a day, a practice he began as a child, running between the Williams homestead and the North Fork River. His ability to bring home impressive king salmon from the river was legendary. He was also a dedicated bicyclist, a sometimes golfer and licensed for archery hunting.

His sojourn as mayor of Homer is recorded in Going to Extremes, a bestseller by Joe McGinniss.

Gary is loved and missed by daughter, Sierra Fischback; son, Garret Williams; granddaughters, Kajsa, Odette and Adara; grandson, Malachi; sisters, Bonnie Schram, Carol Schmidt, Joyce Haley and Judy McDaniel; and many nieces and nephews spread from Soldotna to Scotland.

A memorial gathering is planned for this summer.