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Brian Williams
Posted July 8, 2010
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Brian Williams was a rising 2L student at The University
of Montana School of Law who completed his first year of
law school this spring. Last week a tragic plane crash
ended Brian’s life. Brian enrolled in law school
as a way of expressing his commitment to the environment. His
primary interest was in working in the law for change in
environmental policy. A graduate of The University
of Montana with a degree in Environmental Studies, Brian
noted in his application to law school his work as vice-president
for U of M Climate Action Now organization, which secured
funding for a twelve-member delegation to attend a student
lobbying event in Washington, D.C. In the student directory,
Brian described himself in terms that are echoed in the descriptions
of many of our students: “enjoys hiking, biking, and
walking with his dog.” Brian was a gregarious
and open young man. Before coming to law school, Brian
worked as an intern in the office of U.S. Senator John Tester
and as the Regional Brownfields Coalition Facilitator for
the Missoula Area Economic Development Corporation.
The outpouring of concern and sympathy
from Brian’s
classmates demonstrates their strong bond among our students
and with Brian and his family. Brian’s love of
nature has been a theme of the comments I have received from
UMLS students. Last week, a group of students traveled
to Ronan to help in the search and to support Brian’s
family. Many students have emailed and called me to
express their sorrow and sympathy for Brian’s family
and to give me suggestions about ways students and faculty
can help honor Brian’s life. Several students
have indicated their commitment to work on environmental
projects in Brian’s memory and to volunteer their time “to
further Brian's endeavors and dedication to environmental
causes.” The law school will hold a memorial
in Brian’s honor this fall after classes begin.
~Dean Irma Russell
Memorial Service
3 p.m.
July 9, 2010
English Funeral Chapel in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
More information
'You never forget him' Vigil honors crash victim
7/8/2010,
Coeur d'Alene Press
OBITUARY from www.cdapress.com
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.
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