One of St. Albert’s most high-profile realtors died Saturday after an eight-month battle with a bone marrow disease. Dave Williams was 61.
The busy realtor was diagnosed in October with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a condition marked by decreased blood cell production in the bone marrow.
Williams had been on a transplant list but his genetics made finding a match very difficult, said his wife Lorraine Orange. Treatment specialists did locate two matches within the North American registry but Williams had become too sick to receive a transplant.
“We’re all going to miss Dave,” Orange said, “but at the same time, if his prominence brings a few more donors into the fold …”
Williams was a realtor for about 20 years in St. Albert. In that time he established himself as one of the most successful agents in the city and a consistent top producer in the Capital region.
“Dave is one of those icons in the industry, especially in the St. Albert market,” said Larry Westergard, president of the Realtors Association of Edmonton.
Williams brought a high level of decorum and respect to his transactions, Westergard said.
“He’s sorely going to be missed for a lot of what he brought to the market.”
Williams was known for helping young realtors get their start. He had a team of five realtors working with him.
“He took me under his wing ... he was a wonderful mentor for me,” said realtor Shandrie Lewis, who joined the Williams team three years ago.
She described him as a very direct leader who always strived to do his best. He had an answer for every question and a quick sense of humour.
“I’m a better person and I owe my career to him,” Lewis said.
Always active in helping local charities, Williams broke his team’s Christmas tradition last year. Rather than buying gifts for clients, he organized his team to buy toys for underprivileged children. They filled seven shopping carts and donated the toys to the St. Albert Kinettes.
“It meant a lot to him to be able to give back to the community,” Lewis said.
As president of the St. Albert Progress Club from 2007 to 2009, Williams did every job, from selling tickets to rounding up items for silent auctions, and he stayed on top of every project to ensure the club met its commitments, said president Doug Ritzen, Williams’ successor.
“He just led by being the rah-rah guy but also by example,” Ritzen said.
Williams’ death has created shock and grief in the business community.
“Somebody who was such a leader in the community is just a terrible loss,” he said. “I’m going to miss him. He was a great guy.”
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Williams began working for Canada Safeway at age 16 and went on to a 25-year career with the company. He retired as a district sales manager and got into real estate, Orange said. He moved to St. Albert in 1988.
Williams leaves behind a son Kent and daughter Kellie as well as five-year-old twin grandsons Grayson and Logan. He also leaves stepdaughter Lindsay Orange and stepson Matt Orange.
A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, July 8 at the Italian Cultural Centre at 14230 - 133 Ave. in Edmonton.
