Over 100 truckers parade to honor log truck crash victim

A procession of more than 100 log trucks and other rigs traveled north from Redmond Saturday, parading to a celebration of life event in Prineville in honor of a Redmond log truck driver killed in a recent crash on the Ochoco National Forest east of Prineville.

Dawn Williams, the mother of Daniel Williams,said last Sunday that as many as 100 log trucks from all over Oregon, Washington and Northern California would be taking part in the procession that traveled from the Deschutes County Fairgrounds to the Crook County Fairgrounds in Prineville, where a celebration of life took place.

As the trucks rolled through the region, many others lined the highways to watch the procession.

Also, semis and other trucks and cars were displaying black and/or red ribbons, as well as window decals, in their travels around Oregon, to mark the 30-year-old’s passing.

Williams was was killed early on Wednesday, Oct. 15 when his rig left a spur road and crashed into a ravine, sending its load of logs tumbling onto the truck, Crook County sheriff’s deputies said.

“He was the kindest, most loving person,” his mother told NewsChannel 21 in an e-mail. “As a big man, he was about 6-foot-4, and he always protected the smallest or most vulnerable.”

“Although Dan was young, he had the experience of many more years, and was well-liked and respected by those in the trucking industry,” she wrote. “His absolute love — after his family — was logging. He wanted to see healthy forests, and enjoyed spending time in the woods.”

“There is so much more to who he was,” Dawn Williams said. “Those that met him liked him and considered him a friend — he didn’t have any acquaintances.”

When fellow log truck driver Dustin Lee “D.L.” Anderson passed away earlier this year, “Dan spent days polishing the aluminum and chrome on Dustin’s truck to make sure it was in pristine condition, to pay tribute to his friend,” his mother said. “That’s just who he was.”

Here’s an edited version of Williams’ obituary, provided by his family:

Daniel (Dan) Darrel Williams 9/4/1984 to 10/15/2014

Dan was born in Bend, Oregon to Mike and Dawn (King) Williams -with a very strong trucking gene. He acquired it from his dad and grandpa Darrel Williams who owned Mike and Darrel Williams Trucking. Dan would often be found under his dad’s log truck watching repairs long before he could walk ….. and we have the pictures.

Dan went to work early on, he was a real go-getter. At 13 years old, he went to work at Apollo Supply in Redmondstocking shelves. That same year, he bought his first truck, a retired U Haul with a flatbed that he used to pick up hay in the field. At this time, he was too young for a drivers license, but with the help of mom and dad, he had a thriving hay delivery business.

At 15 years old, Dan went to work for Avilla Farms in Powell Butte, servicing their equipment.He quickly mastered all of the farm equipment, but his passion was still the trucks.

Studying the drivers manual, Dan got his farm permit, and there was no stopping him. He quickly earned a seat in a truck and was moving heavy farm equipment from Central Oregon to fields in the Willamette Valley, where the Avillas had contracts for custom farming.

Dan was a dedicated hand. and at a young age always met older more experienced hands pound for pound and hour for hour.

In high school, Dan and his best friend, Calder Foss, had big plans for their future in trucking. Dan worked to acquire the skills that would help him in that area, learning welding and fabrication. Calder went on to proudly serve his country, and while the trucking partnership didn’t materialize, the friendship remained strong.

The Williams family enjoyed outings on their horses, riding the Three Fingered Jack Wilderness, Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, Mt. Thielsen Wilderness and Lookout Mountain in the Ochocos. Dan was an accomplished horseman.A good family outing also included a fall elk hunt in Mt Vernon, Oregon.

Dan became a father to stepdaughter KayliJo and then to daughter Mackenna (Mack) who were the lights of his life. He loved to have the girls with him doing as he did with his dad, taking them to the woods, so they too could experience the wonderful world of forest management. It’s amazing how well those car seats fit in the seat of a log truck.

Unfortunately, Dan’s life ended far too soon on October 15 , 2014 when he lost his life in a log truck accident. We find comfort knowing he was earning a living doing what he loved, where he thrived. Truck’em easy.

A truck parade is going to travel from Redmond to Prineville at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday October 25th with a celebration of Dan’s life at 1 p.m. at the Crook County Fairgrounds.

Dan is survived by his parents Mike and Dawn, his sister Emily (Tom) Fast, daughter Mackenna, step daughter KayliJo, nephew Riley Fast, his grandmother (Omi) Helga King, grandmother Hazel Williams, foster brother Brett (Katherine) Colvin, Uncle Butch and Aunt Tanna King, Uncle Rob and Aunt Sharon Stevenson, cousins Megan, Morgan and Nichole and his great grandmother Betty King White. He was preceded in death by his grandpas, Darrel Williams and William “Bill” King.

A fund has been established in his name, at US Bank. Inlieu of flowers, donations can be made to any Boys and Girls Club in Dan’s name.

Friends also have established a Go Fund Me account in his name, at http://www.gofundme.com/g07p44