Derick LaPlace Williams
Mar 1, 1984 -
Apr 10, 2023
Derick L. Williams, 39, died in an auto accident on April 10, 2023, in Selma, Ore. Derick was born on March 1, 1984, in Anchorage, Alaska, to Debbie and Rick Williams. Derick was the eldest of three brothers, with whom he shared a special bond. Derick grew up enjoying everything that Alaska had to offer and participated in competitive baseball, swimming and downhill skiing. He especially loved fishing and hunting throughout Alaska and snowboarding the backcountry with his friends, brothers and dog Boz.
After graduating with honors from Service High School in Anchorage, he attended Montana State University, Bozeman. In 2006, he earned a bachelor's degree in fish and wildlife biology and became a biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
On Feb. 19, 2010, Derick married the love of his life, Amanda Eguia. The two relocated to Selma in 2016 and, with the purchase of a native plant nursery, recently started a new profession.
Loving and brilliant, Derick was known to all as a kind and gentle soul. Although he was often the tallest person in a room, he never looked down on anyone. Derick could fix anything, talk to anyone about any topic and if he didn't have an answer for you, he was on a first name basis with Google.
Derick is sorely missed by his loving wife, Mandy; mother, Debbie Seyer; stepfather, wingman, Clint Seyer; father, Rick Williams; stepmother, Sara Bergquist; and brothers, Deven (Kelsey) and Dylan (Sophia) Williams. He leaves behind uncles, Dick and Larry; aunt, Wendy; mother-in-law, Toni Eguia; sisters-in-law, Roni and Rebecca; brother-in-law, Chris; special friends, Chris, Adam, Tom, Janet, Grandma Melba, auntie Pauline, Scott, Gina, Jessi and Clay; too many more friends to count; beloved dog, Yeti; and cat, DaVinci. Derick was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Charles Eguia; and sister-in-law, Victoria Eguia.
A celebration of Derick's life was held on April 19, in Oregon and a private memorial on May 20, 2023, in Langley, Wash. If you would like to make a contribution in memory of Derick, please consider the Copper River Watershed Project or planting a memorial tree at thetreesremember.com. Condolences may be sent to Derick's family home, 14840 Wildien Drive, Anchorage, AK 99516.
