Ron Williams

A celebration of life for Ron Williams, 44, a Carson City and Dayton resident for 34 years, will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at 2600 Michael Drive in Carson City.

Mr. Williams died May 30, 2004, at his home in Dayton after a year-long battle with cancer. He was born Feb. 1, 1960, in Santa Cruz, Calif. to John C. "Jack" and Loretta Williams.

He moved to Carson City in 1970 and attended Carson City schools. He learned carpentry from his father at an early age and built many homes in and around Carson City.

Mr. Williams was an avid dirt bike rider, getting his first dirt bike at age 7. He rode thousands of miles and spent countless hours in the Pine Nut Mountains. He competed in the Virginia City Grand Prix Race nearly every year since its beginning. His last race was in April 2003. He also raced Super Outlaw Karts for 10 years at Fuji Park and Thunder Bowl Speedway in Mound House.

He competed every year in the Nevada Day Beard Contest, first winning for the fullest beard when he was 17. He won in several categories over the years, the last one for Best Salt and Pepper in 2002.

Among his survivors are his wife of 17 years, Carolyn of Dayton; mother and father of Carson City; sisters Jacqueline Gautreaux of Lawrence, Kan., and Yvonne Chicks of Hayden Lake, Idaho; brother, Bob of Lawrence; nephews Taylor Williams and Jacob Chicks and step-grandchildren Devin and Taylor Layland.

He donated his body to the UNR School of Medicine to help in the fight against cancer.