We’re deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Hiram “Lee” Williams. I had the pleasure of working with Lee as an ATRA Board Member and Northern Chapter Representative of the association. During those times there was one thing very clear, Lee was a modern-day cowboy with an old-school attitude.
The first time I met Lee was at a board meeting in 2008. We were discussing the testing and certification costs and how we were going to implement the tests. It was right then and there that I knew, when Lee was passionate about something, you were going to feel it.
I admired Lee’s passion and the way he approached life. Lee served on the ATRA Board of Directors from 2005-2022. During that time, he was instrumental in directing the association and hosting countless training events in Napa Valley and the surrounding areas.
Lee was born in 1939, in Tampa, Florida. His life was a story of ambition, perseverance, and an unyielding sense of purpose. From an early age, as the eldest of five siblings, he worked tirelessly in the sharecropping fields of Meigs, Georgia, where he developed the values of hard work and determination that would guide him for a lifetime.
At 18, Lee’s horizons expanded when he joined the Air Force and embarked on a new chapter of his life. This path would take him from the training grounds of San Antonio, Texas, to California’s Travis Air Force Base. But California quickly became more than a place of service; it became Lee’s home and the canvas for his dreams.
Lee was not content with following a conventional route. With the spirit of an entrepreneur, he transformed a modest Napa gas station into a thriving hub of excellence in automotive repair that stood for 63 years. His passion for quality and dedication to his craft made his business a beloved fixture in the Napa Valley community.
But Lee’s life was about more than business; it was about community, adventure, and service. For 55 years, he proudly served as a member of the Napa County Sheriff’s Posse, earning the rank of captain. His commitment to his community showed not only in his professional life but also in how he inspired others to take part in causes larger than themselves.
Beyond his public achievements, Lee’s private life spoke volumes about the man he was. Alongside his wife Becky, Lee embraced his family with open arms and an open heart. He was a proud father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, creating a rich tapestry of love that continues to bind his family together even in his absence.
Lee’s generosity knew no bounds. Whether he brought joy to others through the haunted house he constructed or dedicated proceeds to Skyline Park, his kindness left a permanent mark on his community. Even the Southern-style mansion he built reflected his vision and the adventurous spirit that uniquely defined him.
Though we say goodbye to Lee today, his legacy will endure in every life he touched. We carry forward his lessons in hard work, the importance of community, and the joy of living life to its fullest.
Lee, your story has been written in the hearts of all of us who knew you. And while this may be the end of one chapter, the impact of your life will continue to inspire us for generations to come.
Thank you, Lee, for showing us what living with love, service, and adventure means.
Rest in peace, dear friend.
