[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 164 (Wednesday, October 3, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S6494]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               REMEMBERING WISTER ``PUG'' EDWIN WILLIAMS

 Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. President, I would like to honor the memory 
of Wister ``Pug'' Edwin Williams--a patriot, an Alaskan pioneer, a 
loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and a role 
model to so many. Pug passed away on September 25, 2018, at the age of 
92 in Anchorage, AK.
  A member of the Greatest Generation, Pug was born on October 28, 
1925, in Baltimore, MD, and grew up in Daytona Beach, FL. He enlisted 
in the Army Air Force when he was 17 years old and served in the World 
War II Pacific Theatre in New Guinea and the Philippines. He was 
awarded a Purple Heart.
  After recovering from his injuries, in 1946--13 years before Alaska 
became a State--he headed to Alaska and got to work building a State 
that he loved. He worked for the Alaska Railroad until he could get on 
with the Federal Road Commission, building the then nonexistent 
highways Alaskans drive on today.
  After the road commission, he field-apprenticed into becoming an 
engineer with the Corps of Engineers, again instrumental in building 
Alaska's infrastructure where none had existed. He worked at the Corps 
of Engineers for 25 years, including during the disaster recovery of 
the 1964 earthquake. At the time of his retirement, he was chief 
executive assistant at the Corps of Engineers, the highest civilian 
position at the Corps.
  Pug met his wife Yvonne O'Brien early on in his life in Alaska. They 
enjoyed 42 years of marriage until her death. Together, they had 8 
children, 22 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. They were the 
love of each other's lives, and that love is reflected in the values 
passed on to multiple generations of Alaskans.
  Pug was in awe of Alaska and worked all across the State, including 
in rural Alaska. His door was always open to rural Alaskans who did not 
have a place to stay when they came to Anchorage.
  He loved to hunt and fish, a passion he passed down to his children 
and grandchildren. Pug also loved listening to the opera, playing 
piano, and listening to people's stories. He was funny, kind, and 
generous, particularly to those in need. His faith in God never 
wavered.
  Pug lived a good, long life. He helped build and shape the character 
of our great State, and he served our country valiantly. For this, we 
celebrate his life, honor his memory, and will keep his family in our 
thoughts and prayers.

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