(Editor’s note: Linda Wilson-Williams worked as the International Examiner’s bookkeeper starting in January 2024 until she passed away in May this year. Linda had a passion for supporting community organizations, and also worked with the Tasveer Film Festival & Market among others. She brought great care and attention to her work with her clients, as well as a positive attitude and eagerness to solve problems. The staff and board of the Examiner loved working with Linda and will miss her greatly. The following is a memorial piece written by Linda’s husband, Dean Williams.)
Linda Wilson-Williams passed away on May 22nd 2025. She was born on February 22nd 1957 in Omak Washington. A good year for cars, music and women, I would tell her. She got her Bachelor’s degree in accounting from Portland State University.
She was an air force wife stationed in Okinawa, Japan, a place she talked about many times. That’s where her daughter Susan was born. (She has “Made in Japan” tattooed on her foot.)
I met her several years later on the Oregon coast in Newport, Oregon. She was working custodial at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, I was a park rangers aid at South Beach State park. We met through a mutual friend. We had one date on her birthday, where I was vetted by three of her friends, and after that we never left each other’s side for 23 years.
Eventually we moved to Omak where she was born and raised. We worked together on many different jobs over the years that included… apartment managers, demonstrators, merchandisers, secret shoppers, insurance inspectors, store re-setters, people counters at movie theaters, and more.
She started Bookkeeping For Small Businesses in 2013. She went to the employment office and took every computer class they would give, earning a pile of certificates. She had a skill for taking tests. The business grew into a success right up until she passed away.
We did most things together, like cooking, traveling, plus our love of cats! She loved arts and crafts, mostly cross stitch which I have a dozen examples of on my wall.
She indulged me in my hobbies. Encouraged me always and always let me know I was loved and appreciated. She was the kind of person you were happy to see walking your way!
She was a mother, grandmother, a mentor, a colleague, and a friend. A businesswoman, a traveler, a slayer of dragons, my beloved wife and so much more.
She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
