FRUITA — On the one-year anniversary of Mike Williams’ death, Fruita Monument High School students and teachers came to classes May 5 dressed in Hawaiian shirts and dresses. The teachers had a luau for lunch.

Williams was a popular science teacher at FMHS who often wore Hawaiian shirts to school and was known for saying, “Oh it’s just another day in Paradise.”

“He was a great teacher, a great guy and a great influence,” said his widow, Felice Williams.

Williams died at 55 of a heart attack while on a field trip with his students at Arches National Park. His 16-year-old son Wes was also on the trip.

Williams is also survived by a 21-year-old daughter, Amber, who is studying entomology at Williams’ alma mater, the University of Idaho.

His widow, friends and former students decided to honor Williams, who loved hiking, with an annual hike to remember Williams and raise money to build trail enhancements along the Riverfront Trail. The first hike, organized by former student Billy Schaefer, took place last August.

The second annual Hike for Mike Williams is planned for Saturday, May 17. This year’s hike for Mike will take place at Devil’s Canyon, west of Fruita at 9 a.m.
Registration starts at 8 a.m. There are two hikes to choose from — a 2.5 mile level walk and a 5.3 mile more strenuous hike.

The $19 registration fee ($17 prior to the event) will go toward trail enhancements along the Riverfront Trail between the Redlands Parkway Bridge and Fruita.

Registration forms are available at riverfrontproject.org and at Over the Edge Sports, 202 E. Aspen.

Organizers plan to install interpretive displays along the way, explaining the geology of the area.

Williams was a geologist who taught at FMHS for 15 years.

“He was a really caring guy. He had an incredible rapport with people. He was happy all the time,” Felice Williams said.

When he first started teaching, he’d study the yearbook and learn the names of all the students — not just his own — by the end of the first week. He’d learn the kids’ hobbies and who their siblings and parents were. As the school grew in size, Williams still made a point to get to know students.

He didn’t give grades away to slackers, but he would stay after school for hours tutoring those who wanted the help, Felice Williams said.

“He put all his heart right into it,” Felice Williams said. “He paid good attention. The kids felt like he was their special friend.”

In addition to teaching science, Williams played tuba for the Centennial Band.

On May 5, while students and colleagues remembered Williams with Hawaiian clothing, Felice Williams traveled to Arches National Monument with a couple of friends. She brought the tuba to the spot where Williams died and played “four little melodies.”

Reach Sharon Sullivan at ssullivan@gjfreepress.com.