Kathryn Williams

Kathryn Lynn Williams, born Kathryn Lynn Dikes on November 14th 1963, passed away peacefully on September 19th 2021. She is survived by so many family members, including her husband Warren Williams Jr., her daughter Candice Vickers, her son Warren Williams III, her parents Bobby and Norm Pedersen, her brother Robert Dikes, her sister Joyce Christensen, her five grandchildren, four sisters in law, two brothers in law, and 24 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother and father in law Pattie and Warren Williams senior, her brother in law James Gill, and her nephews Adrian and Quincy. 

Kathryn, or Kat as she liked to be called, was born in California. After graduating from Job Corps with a major in culinary arts, she moved to Portland Oregon with her daughter to be closer to her brother Robert. In Portland, she met her husband of 34 years Warren, or Dink as he’s known by family and friends, had her son, and worked as a chef at a variety of Portland restaurants and assisted living facilities while raising her family and many others. 

Kat was an amazing chef! And never shied from feeding family and friends whenever the opportunity arose. She always had an extra bed for anybody in need. Kat was the neighborhood auntie and could be counted on to support, help, feed, or just kick it with family and friends in times of joy and tribulation. 

Kat was a fighter, and always told it like it is. That included telling her kids, grandkids, and nieces and nephews any time she saw them that she loved them. 

Kat loved to sing all kinds of music! It wasn’t rare to walk up her door and hear her belting anything from country, to hip hop, to gospel, in her distinctive alto voice. 

Kathryn requested not to have a funeral. On Friday, September 24th, the family invites all friends and family  to Alberta Park on NE 22nd and Killingsworth Ave at 3:00pm, to celebrate her life how she wanted: “with a get together just like the ones we used to have on 16th.”

Kat wanted her ashes spread in her old stomping grounds in California’s Bay Area. Donations can be made here to help the family meet her final request. Any additional funds beyond the goal/expenses will be shared directly with the American Council of the Blind (https://www.acb.org/), an organization that supports and provides resources for those who are blind or visually impaired as this was a part of her journey as well.