InterWest is saddened to share that Tom Williams had passed away comfortably in his sleep late last week. Reading his obituary, you will see that Tom lead and amazing life. I can safely say that without Tom’s influence InterWest as we know it may never have come to be. Thankfully, Tom’s wisdom and guidance brought together InterWest’s founding firms as he led the organization as CEO and Chairman from 1992 to 2008. Tom was a role model to many and friend to all who met him. Tom was an imposing man standing nearly 6’ 6” with a smile that brightened a room. Tom was truly a gentleman who led with kindness and sincerity making everyone around him feeling comfortable. This is why our Chairmans award is named after him. Tom will be missed by many in the InterWest family, but not forgotten. A donation on behalf of InterWest will be sent along with our thoughts and prayers to his family.
OBITUARY
Tom Williams of Ukiah, CA and many other places, departed this world on March 2, 2024, at age 89. Born in a cabin in the mountains of Appalachia to Oma and Glay Williams, Tom was destined to have adventures lived by few. He leaves behind his incredible wife and side-kick Janet, sister Carol, his children Dawn, Scott and Matt Williams and Tommy Selby, granddaughters Harmony, Angela, Katie and Chandra, sister-in-law Eva and her husband Michael, great-grandchildren Cheyenne, Harlan, Savannah, Ronan, Aspen and Eden and many nieces and nephews.
Tom was a giant of a man, literally and figuratively, and an entrepreneur from a very young age. Trapping furs to sell and working for the local store owner ensured he always had money in his pocket. Some methods employed weren’t quite so upstanding, like the time at 12 years old, he stole one of his uncle’s calves, sold it for $50, packed his cardboard suitcase and bought a bus ticket to Detroit. He’d heard you could make good money up there…
In service to his country, he joined the Army, becoming one of the elite Green Berets and mastering the art of psychological warfare during the Korean War. The skills learned during his service gave Tom an understanding of the human psyche that would prove invaluable in later years. And he stole a tank…
After the Army, Tom quickly became a successful businessman. Starting Associated Insurance Agency in NC, he grew it to one of the largest agencies in the southeast, then California called, and he moved west. He was one of the developers of Dynamics of Selling, which became the standard sales process for the insurance industry. Tom’s crowning achievement in business was forming InterWest Insurance and becoming the 12th largest agency in the US. Not bad for a calf-stealing boy from Appalachia…
Though he chose a life filled with traveling the world, speaking to the masses and merging businesses, his true passion was the wilderness. Tom was known to disappear into the mountains for weeks at a very young age. Horses, craggy peaks and fly fishing fed his soul. When he wasn’t in board meetings, you could find him at the cabin he built on top of a mountain at his ranch in California. He lived the dream…
Tom impacted countless lives along his journey, from teaching his kids the ways of the woods to mentoring young salespeople. His legacy will live on in the hearts of all he touched throughout his blessed life. A celebration of Tom’s life will be held at a later date, TBD. To honor his service to our country, donations can be made to The Green Beret Foundation at https://greenberetfoundation.org/donate/
