Arbra Williams

Arbra Williams was born in Kiblah, Arkansas on April 19th, 1941 to the late Emanuel Williams and Margie Lee. Arbra had 2 siblings from this union, Vera and Paul. Emanuel had 3 additional marriages. From those Arbra had 5 additional siblings brothers Daniel “DC”, Tommy Eugene, and Ricky, sisters Annette, Vernita “Nino”.

He lived as a young boy in Kiblah, Arkansas. In 1945, his father moved the family to Portland, Oregon. Arbra was 7 years of age when the family survived the historic and devastating Vanport flood of 1948. Arbra graduated from Jefferson High School in 1959. That year was called the year of the Champions The (Demos) won state in all sports that year basketball, football, track and baseball.

Hobbies: Arbra loved to run, walk, bicycle, read his Bible, walk in the pool at the Newport Recreation Center, and Participate with the church in Ingathering during the Holiday season. Arbra graduated from Clark College in Vancouver with an associates degree in Culinary Arts. At an early age, Arbra accepted the Lord and was an active member of the Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Rev. O.B. Williams. He Attended faithfully with his father Emanuel Williams. Arbra and his brother Paul performed many odd jobs within their community. Stacking groceries at Brooks Grocery Store or cutting neighbors lawns.
Arbra enjoyed helping his Uncles, Paul and Peter Williams, build and paint houses. Two of these houses are still owned and occupied by the Williams Family today.

In May 1966, Arbra was drafted into the US Army where he served in the Vietnam War . He was numbered with the many Vietnam era victims afflicted with PTSD, Agent Orange and other maladies. He received an ‘Honorable Discharge’ in May of 1968. His rank at Discharge was Specialist E-4. Upon his discharge, Arbra married Helloise McCorvey and from this union was born two beautiful daughters, Kimberly Rae and Kristen Elaine .

In 1968,   Arbra began his career with Northwest Natural Gas as a ‘Meter Reader’ until injury forced him to retire. He was also employed by the Daily Astorian as an Independents contract newspaper carrier. His geographical areas included Cannon Beach, Tolovana and Arch Cape. He was awarded the “Community Service Employee of the Year” by the Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce for outstanding service. He always displayed a positive attitude, kindness, always smiling.

When anyone saw the Orange VW bug they knew it was Arbra with the Daily Astorian paper even the neighborhood dogs got excited for the dog treats he kept in the car. Arbra also worked for the Union Pacific Railroad as a transportation driver, transporting various crews. Arbra's last job was working for his nephew Esau Williams, owner of Design A Weld in Sales and Distribution.

On February 14th, 1987 Arbra and Kayleen were baptized into the Sharon Seventh Day Adventist Church. On April 19th, 1987, Arbra Williams and Kayleen Howard were joined together in Holy Matrimony at the Sharon Seventh Day Adventist Church. Arbra was very active in many church ministries. He served as a Youth Leader, Greeter, Assistant Treasurer Sabbath school teacher, prison ministries team member, and was ordained as a Deacon.
In 1992 a second church was started with members from the Mother Church Sharon SDA. Arbra was 1 of many asked to serve in a leadership capacity; he accepted the Head treasurer position and continued to serve as a Deacon in the new church called Your Bible Speaks SDA. As the new church grew, Arbra was asked to serve on many auxiliaries from Youth Leader, Treasurer (for over 20 years), Deacon, Transportation during Convocation, and was later ordained a church Elder.

Arbra and his wife Kayleen loved the church and served in various church capacities. For example, camping out with the youth at Big Lake, a camping trip to Yellowstone Park, camping at Three Sisters, camping and group bike cycling at Fort Stevens State Park, and many hiking excursions in Portland and its surrounding areas on Sabbath. Arbra was a personal coach to various basketball players on the Portland Adventist Academy Basketball team that won the State Championship in 1996.

Arbra the dad on special occasions would surprise his daughter Kimberly at school with a picture collage of her time playing softball. For birthdays he would bring balloons, and a big cookie from Original cookie House. During many of her High School days he would surprise her and give her a ride to school. And on that Grand finale of May 1987 he watched her walk across stage and receive her Diploma. “Hey daddy” is how she would always address him.

Arbra the brother extended himself as Medical transportation for his sister Vera, rides to church, and sightseeing rides to historic places, and took her out to eat at various eateries around town. “Arbra, Arbra ' is how she would always address him.

Arbra the nephew would spend many hours visiting his uncle Paul whenever his wife Kayleen was off work. They would go to uncle Paul's favorite restaurant Red Lobster. Also they would sit for countless hours watching Baseball, Basketball, and Wrestling, and help pick vegetables out of his garden.

Arbra the uncle would attend his nephew Paul Basketball games at Grant High School and wait after the game to give him a ride home “ Hey Unc is how he addressed him”. Arbra was also very supportive in Transporting nieces Vitina and Dimitra (“Uncle Do” is how they addressed him), nephews Dennis and Sydell, Lil Paula to school, music lessons, swimming lessons, sporting events and after school activities. Arbra was a very good cook who could make a “mean pot of beans”. Arbra loved to travel the world with his wife Kayleen, meet new people and experience different cultures. Some of their travel were to the Bahamas, Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Mexico, and the World's Fair in Canada BC. Arbra’s last trip was most memorable, his first Caribbean cruise on Harmony of the Seas in September of 2019 to celebrate his daughter, Kimberly’s, 50th birthday celebration. What also made this cruise special was they were honoring all military
Veterans. Arbra’s character will always speak volumes to everyone who knew him. A true loyal friend, kind, gentle, thoughtful Christian man who would help anytime, anywhere, anyone! On October 24, 2020 his daughter Kim arrived, Oh the joy that welled up in his face when he saw his daughter face to face, eyes wide open, a gentle hug, a squeeze of the hand, Priceless!

Arbra made his peaceful transition at home under Hospice care on October 26, 2020 with his loving wife Kayleen and beautiful daughter Kimberly by his side at home in Warrenton, Oregon.

Preceding him in death Parents Emanuel and Margie Williams , daughter Kristen Elaine Williams, brothers Daniel “DC”, Paul, Anthony Nelson, Uncles, aunts, cousins. He is
survived by his wife, Kayleen of Newport, Oregon; daughter, Kimberly Williams of Lithonia, Georgia, sister, Vera Williams Barnett of Clackamas, Oregon, Annette Williams Parker of Newberg, Oregon, and Vernita Williams of Portland, Oregon, brothers; Nathaniel “Ricky” Nelson, (Brenda) of Foresthills, CA., Tommy Eugene Miller (Jalesa) of Portland, Oregon; a host of additional brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces, nephews and other extended family members and friends.

***Public Viewing Procedures***   

* Masks Are Required *           

* Up To 2 People In the Building at a Time * 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Arbra Williams, please visit our floral store.