Dennis Dale Williams passed away in his home in Ojai on Aug. 18 after a long battle with cancer. He was 70 years old.
Born on Nov. 25, 1944 in Santa Monica to Marvin and Maxine Williams, Dennis grew up in the Pacific Palisades and spent summers on Catalina Island as a Boy Scout in Emerald Bay — a place he continued to visit throughout his life. As a young man living near the ocean, he developed a passion and love for sailing and deep knowledge of boat building. He attended Santa Monica College and graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a degree in art. In 1975, he started working for the family business his grandfather started in 1926, Broadway Sheet Metal, which he eventually managed and operated until he retired in 2005. He was an active member of the community, supporting the Boys and Girls Clubs and Kiwanis in the surrounding areas.
In 1978, Dennis met his wife Kathleen “Cookie” Williams, and they were married on July 14, 1979. Together and with their six children, the family settled in Malibu in 1989 where Dennis spent time with family, working on boat projects and making French toast breakfasts for everyone, according to family members.
“He was an artist with a keen sense of design and put his talent into remodeling his boats and home,” a loved one shared. “Dennis was a teacher and role model, demonstrating what it means to be dedicated to family and have integrity, honor, and compassion while enjoying life to the fullest.”
Dennis is survived by his wife of 37 years Cookie; his six children: Deborah and her husband Eric (Hellweg), John, Patricia, Gregory, Corinne and Lauren; and two grandchildren: Ryder and Callie.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Camp del Corazon. For more information, visit campdelcorazon.org.