Herman “Skip” Lee Williams, age 70, of Victoria, BC passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, August 31, 2022. Skip was born on August 25, 1952, in El Centro, California to a large family with 11 siblings. Affectionately known as “Big Skip” he was literally and figuratively larger than life. He was big in presence and personality. He knew how to command a room and engage people in conversation. He loved singing, being the center of attention and making people laugh with his wonderful sense of humor; if he knew you, he undoubtedly had an endearing nickname for you. He was a devout Christian and believed deeply in his faith.
Herman attended the University of Texas on a football scholarship. He later played defensive lineman for the Honolulu Hawaiians in the World Football League, the San Diego Chargers in the National Football League, and the Edmonton Eskimos, and Saskatchewan Rough Riders in the Canadian Football League. He eventually worked for several decades as a longshoreman with the Waterfront Employers of BC.
Skip is survived by his four children, Ajamu, Aisha, Aaron, and Kamika; his five grandchildren Autumn, Leah, Markus, Sarai, and Jonah; his seven siblings; his many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, all of whom he loved very much. Skip is predeceased by his parents, Dorothy and Hosa, and his siblings, Hosa Jr., Regina, Donna, and Quinton.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, September 15 , 2022 at 10:00 am at McCall Gardens, Sequoia Centre, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC V8Y 1B4, where we will share stories and say our final goodbyes.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
http://www.mccallgarden.com
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Michael "Big Mike" Gains
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Anthony Franks To my dear friend Skip,
I look back on those day growing up in El Centro with fondest memories playing sports together (farm league baseball through high school basketball and football),and always, without fail, being intertained by you. Those were happy days! You were Great !!May you rest in peace, my friend.
The Franks family said a special prayer for you today, and will keep the repose of your soul in our daily prayers.
Love you man!
Forever your friend,
Tony ‘Nino’ Franks
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Sasha Love you Uncle Skip Rest in Heaven Tell my grandma I miss her
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Vernon Snead I met Skip on the street in Victoria. He saw me across the street and started yelling, “hey brother” just out of the blue, and ever since then he and I formed a friendship and bond that was special. We started playing softball. We spent so much time together, partying, singing playing dominoes, went fishing, barbecue and yes we drank a lot, we also prayed together. He was a very spiritual man who loved his family and cared deeply for his friends. He was as much my brother as all my other. I last talked to him on his birthday, family was what he talked about, his love for Aaron and Kamika. I will always cherish that last conversation. Now God has called him home. Fare ye well my great friend. If anyone wants to share some stories about him feel free to contact me.
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Kamika Williams Hey Dad… same old song!
Love, your baby girl ❤️
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Aisha Williams Dad,
No words can describe the way I feel. Played the last voicemail you left me this morning. Thank you to everyone who came to say goodbye and all those who reached out❤️
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Dorothy Elizabeth Reed I’m truly going to miss my uncle. We had many great talks, we laughed, we cried together. I’m going to miss him calling me every day and saying I just called to say I love you. I will always cherish memories and songs he sang to me when I was a little girl. Always and forever. I love you my uncle, you will truly be missed. Your niece Dorothy.
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Dennis Morita I met Skip on the football and baseball fields of El Centro. To say I played “with” Skip suggests I belonged. I did not. Skip was a man amongst boys. For all of his physical gifts, he had a calm and joyful spirit about him. Sincerest condolences to the Williams family. Peace be with you.
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Judith My heart felt condolences to the entire Williams Family. Skipper as some of us called him will truly be missed. Boy could he talk. He called me several months ago and he talked for about two hours. I believe that was God’s way of letting us say good bye. What a momentous conversation . But now the Angels in Heaven has called your name. RIP my Brother ❤️
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Janie “Susie” Robinson The Robinson family send condolences and prayers to the Williams family. May God give you peace in your life changing time.
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Mary De La Cruz Martin Del Campo My condolences to all the family we the De La Cruz and the Williams were childhood friends/neighbors many years ago skipper came to visit me may you rest in peace friend
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Barbara Weeks So sad for everyone left behind. But don’t be too sad. Skip had a great life & enjoyed it on his terms. You really can’t ask for more than that.❤
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Debra Morris My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Big Skip. My thoughts and prayers go out to each of you. May God lovingly wrap his arms around you during this time. I lived right across the street from the Williams’ family and spent much time in their home. Blessings and love to each of you.
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CAROL A WILLIAMS Skip,
I will miss our regular conversations–more recently on your Platinum Birthday. Thank you for your encouragement and your love for the family. You spoke much of our strong foundation that Mom and Dad established while growing up in El Centro, and how our foundation was a catalyst for anything we faced in the future. It was simply our choice to “glean” from it.
I enjoyed my visits to Canada and spending time with you, Barbara, and your family as well with our siblings.
You shared in our most recent conversations how important it is for us to “stick together” especially as we grow older. You were so thankful that you reached 70 years on August 25, 2022, and you stated, “70 years is what God promised and anything beyond that is just a blessing of ‘extra time”. Anasa enjoyed her conversations with you. Thank you for being an encouragement to my grandsons, Randon and Mylon. You were quite instrumental in encouraging me to complete my Master of Science Degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation for which I am truly grateful.
I recently took an airplane trip to Boston, and I took pictures of the beautiful CLOUDS which appeared to have personalities. A song about you being there “in the CLOUDS” surfaced. The CLOUDS reminded me of the “great cloud of witnesses” who transitioned before us which includes you. (Hebrews 12:2). Skip, I am reminded that you are one of those witnesses, along with Mom, Dad, Junior, Regina, Quinton, Donna, and many more who are cheering us here on earth. You are letting us know that “we got this”, we can make it, and to maintain our relationship with God, and that we will see you again.
I will miss you, I will miss our frequent telephone conversations, and encouraging each other. I know I will see you again.
Much Love,
Big Sis, Carol
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Bruce and Maureen Bailey Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this very sad time.
We will cherish our great memories of Skip.
Big hugs and love to all!!!Uncle Bruce, Auntie Mo
and family.♥️
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Hilda Huerta My condolences to the family, sending hugs and prayers.
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Russ L Tenney Deepest sympathy and sincere condolences to the Williams family. Rest In Peace Skip
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Tommy G. Meza Rest ln Peace Skip.
My condolences to his family & friends
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Patricia Hartfield Sending My Deepest and Heartfelt Condolences & Sympathy To Your Family! My Heart Goes Out To You All On The Passing Of “Skip”. He Will Be Sadly Missed and Well Remembered! May God Wrap His Arms Around The Family & Comfort You!!! Skip Is With His Heavenly Father! Lord Be The Family’s Strength & Comforter In This Trying Time!!! Amen!!! R.I.P Herman Lee “Skip” Williams!!!! Gone But Never Forgotten!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I Thank God I Got A Chance To Talk With Skip A Few Month Ago!!!! “Be Strong “
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Rolanda Miles Skip was my dear friend for over40+ years and I will treasure my memories of him forever. Singing duets and playing ‘bones’and cooking some fabulous meals together. The laughter we shared over the years, makes saying good-bye, seem almost an impossibility!
I will miss you forever my friend, until we meet again…
Much love from my whole gang,except my son Jayson, who passed slightly over a month prior to your passing. The 2 of you both, beautiful angels, taken home too soon. ❤️
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Denise Campbell Our deepest condolence to the William family from the Campbell family Don Campbell Denise Campbell and Laverne Campbell from El Centro California which we grew up with Skip and his family we were all like family on the east side from projects to projects he would surely be missed by all may God bless you and give you peace in your heart
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Connie Ojeda My deepest condolences to Skips family. I was his neighbor growing up in the East Side of El Centro and I have many fond memories of Skip and the Williams family. May he Rest In Peace.
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Quan Gonder Rip uncle skip you will be truly missed because you lived so far away I didn’t really get to see you alot growing up but I enjoyed our talks on the phone I was always excited to see you when you would come back home to visit and every time you came you always gave me 20 dollars when I was little you use to scare the heck out of me lol cuz I never saw anyone that big and strong but the love for the family was always bigger and stronger that being said I love you and gonna miss you keep watching over the family from heaven one love unc.
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Vivian Washington Sending heartfelt sympathies to the family during this time. Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss.
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Tina Barrett Sending love and hugs to the family. Uncle Skip you will be missed by a lot of people. I will cherish the memories I have spending time with you, you teaching me how to throw a football, your laugh and your larger than life smile. I am so very grateful that you were able to meet my two older kids. You are now back with your partner in crime. I hope you and Dad, Roderick, can catch up on everything and don’t cause too much trouble up there….
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Katrina Kantarakias-Aldridge Saddened to hear of Skips passing and sending all my best to you all who are grieving at this time. Many fond memories had with this man over the years I have been blessed to share with Barbara, Aaron and Kamika. Rest peacefully Skip – always loved and never forgotten ❤️
I am expressing my belated condolences for Skip as I got separated from seeing him during the Pandemic in 2020. I just found out today 🙁 We had many years of friendship playing Basketball together in Victoria, BC and having endless fun with all our friends off the court! My family all knew Skip and loved it when a meal he prepared was served for us all and good friends! Skip dutifully served as my groomsman for our wedding in 1987 and Susan and I will forever be grateful for him and what he meant to us all!
RIP Big Skip – Respectfully Big Mike and family ❤️