Islanders Never Forget: Honoring Army SPC Dennis M. Williams

For the second season, three Mercer Island boy’s lacrosse high school teams will raise money and awareness in support of The Team Jesse Foundation.  Their challenge is based on three values which define Team Jesse: Commitment, Family & Friendship and ensuring the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes, the fallen, is never forgotten. On Friday May 8, at the game against Issaquah, we will remember SPC Dennis M. Williams who was killed in action in Iraq on August 25, 2009. The money raised will go directly to the Dennis Williams Benevolent Fund, which was established for SPC Williams’ two children, Grant and Alaina, who were 2-months and 18-months old at the time of their father’s death in 2009.

Army SPC Dennis M. Williams from Federal Way, Washington died August 25^th, 2009 in Sha Wali Kot, Afghanistan of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. SPC Williams was assigned to the 1^st Battalion, 17^th Infantry Regiment, 5^th Stryker Brigade, 2^nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington.

SPC Williams was born and raised in Federal Way and graduated from Federal Way High School in 2003. He loved hunting and fishing with his brother and dad and he loved hanging out with his wife, Maria, and his many friends. He cherished his family and was an adoring father to his children, Alaina and Grant. While in Afghanistan, he kept in touch with his family via webcam.

SPC Williams is survived by his wife Maria and their children Alaina and Grant, by his parents; Dan Williams, Cindy Teifke (Lonny); his brother David Williams (Saleena), grandparents Vern and Kathy Anderson and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and nieces.

Your generous donations make a difference in the lives of military families.