Brian James Williams, 28

Our Brian James flew into the arms of God on Sunday, June 27, 2010. He died as he lived — on a great adventure. He was a passenger in a plane that crashed in western Montana that also claimed the lives of three other young friends.

Brian was born Aug. 3, 1981 in Coeur d’Alene to Gary and Donna (Shively) Williams. He attended Bryan elementary, Lakes Middle, and Lake City High schools. After receiving his A.S. degree at North Idaho College, he graduated from the University of Montana with a B.S. in environmental studies. He was a founding officer of the U of M Climate Action Now organization and was instrumental in securing funding for a 12-member delegation to attend a student lobbying event in Washington D.C. Brian also worked as an intern in the office of the U.S. Senator Jon Tester. Because of his passion and commitment to protecting the environment and serving society, he applied and was accepted to the University of Montana School of Law, and just completed his first year of studies.

Brian was baptized and received the sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Confirmation in St. Thomas Catholic Church. He was an avid hiker, biker, climber, rafter and was up for any adventure that came his way. He spent six weeks on a backpack trip to Europe and was especially awed by the Alps, where he bungee jumped from a tram. The mountains were his cathedral, and he was most at peace on a mountain peak or at his cabin on the Moyie River with his dog, Charlie, and his guitar. He helped his dad, Gary, build the cabin, and it has been and will forever be “Brian’s Cabin.”

Brian is survived by his parents, older brother Garrett (Lauren) Williams of Spokane, sister Molly Shepard, nieces Briana and Shannon Williams, Ashlyn ad Hannah Shepard of Placerville, Calif., and maternal grandmother Emogene Bessette, as well as a large and loving extended family of aunts, uncles and Cousins. He is preceded in death by grandparents Bun & Theo Williams and Don Shively and just recently cousin Drew Swank.

There will never be enough words to express what Brian has meant to us. He was a loving, all forgiving, all understanding, all seeking, all joyful, and gift who touched so many more lives than we could ever have imagined. Brian live more in his 28 short years than most people live in a lifetime. He will be missed every day of our lives. We thank God his music will live with us forever.

The memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. today, July 9, 2010, at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene. English Funeral Chapel, Coeur d’Alene, is in charge of the arrangements.

Please sign Brian’s guest registry and view his online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.