Alan Williams was born to Lee and Gladys (South) Williams on Oct. 10, 1931, in Burns. He lived at the Gearhard Ranch at Van the first ten years of his life, and attended school at Van for two years and another at the small school at Wolf Creek.

The family then moved to the Upper Ranch at Drewsey in 1942, where Alan attended the remainder of his elementary schooling. His high school years were spent at Crane High School where he graduated as valedictorian of his class in 1949. After high school, Alan attended Oregon State University.

He married his high school sweetheart, Juanita (Sissy) Bejino on Oct. 12, 1951. They lived on the Davis Ranch at Van for three years. After ranching, Alan got a job with the Harney County Road Department as a heavy equipment operator (cat skinner). 

During this time, they resided in Drewsey, where they were blessed with their daughter, Kay, born on June, 11, 1961. Around this time, they purchased the Valley Service Station, where Alan provided maintenance, fuel and was the Post Master. Side-by-side, Alan and Sissy ran the business.

Wanting a larger family, in 1965, they adopted a baby boy, Josef Williams. Life was good, but in 1975, tragedy struck when they lost their business, home, and all their belongings to a fire. While rebuilding their home and shop, the operated the Post Office out of a gutted camper and Alan did maintenance wherever he could until a new shop was operational and a new home was built.

Alan and Sissy loved to entertain company and were always welcoming others. Alan served on the Crane High School board for nine years and on the Harney County ESD for six. He resigned from these positions in 1973, when their daughter, Kay, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. It was a battle over the years between doctors and hospitals until Kay lost her life to the cancer in 1991.

After 30-years of service running the Valley Service Station and the Post Office, they closed in 1992. In 1999, they moved to Ontario where Alan took up golfing and golf he did, being proud of getting two “holes-in-one”. Wanting to be closer to family, they moved to Vale in 2016, where they enjoyed watching their grandchildren in sports and other events.

Alan passed away on May 29, 2023. He is now in peace. He is proceeded in death by his parents, Lee and Gladys Williams; his daughter, Kay Williams. He is survived by his wife, Juanita (Sissy) Williams; his son, Josef Williams; daughter-in-law, Monica Williams; grandchildren, Chase Williams and Danyelle Williams; great-grandchildren, Rhylan Williams and Corbyn Williams.

A service for Alan will be held at Valley View Cemetery, 1699 Valley View Rd., in Vale on Friday, June 9, at 2 p.m. (MT), with lunch to follow at the Vale Parish Hall, located at 690 A St. West, in Vale.