Mrs. Sydney Williams' Obituary
Captain Sydney LB Williams, devoted wife, loving mother and retired airline Captain, has departed on her last flight West from her home in Fort Myers, Florida, on August 12, 2017, at 0355. She was 69 years old. She had a brief but well fought battle with cancer. Syd was born May 09, 1948, grew up in Vista, California and lived and worked all over the world.
Syd was an airline Captain for American Eagle, a contract pilot for the U.S. Navy and a pilot for Eastern and United Airlines. She ran her own corporate flight department. Her last flight before retirement was in the 747-400 for United Airlines. She had logged more than 8,000 hours of flying time in her career.
As well as a successful career as a commercial pilot Syd was a published author having written “Flying Into The Night” a loosely based autobiography.
Syd was a dynamic, compassionate and loving woman who was a delight to all. Her emotional and physical strength was an inspiration and source of amazement to all who knew her. It was with her even at the very end. As hard as she fought the cancer that took her, she still had a smile that would light up the room and provide comfort to those at her side.
Syd’s passion was fast cars, airplanes and machines that made “Deep Throaty” sounds. However, she took special delight in her family and friends. She treasured watching, listening to stories and seeing the photos of her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed the outdoors, as long as it was pool or beach side and came with room service and a scotch. Everywhere she went she turned heads and captivated people with her inner and outer beauty, stories and personality. She was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.
Her husband James and her children Michael Todd Howard and Karen Enciso survive her.
Please do not send flowers or cards. Instead, a GoFundMe.com site will be made in a few days in her honor. The proceeds of the fund will go to a scholarship for young women to attend the WMU College of Aviation. She was a believer and supporter of the program and would want to support young ladies in their efforts to follow in her footsteps.
I would like to add a story that was originally written by my brother for our fathers last flight west. I have altered it for my wife.
Her Final Flight West
The ramp was wet, and the late evening was cool as the crew walked down the jet way for the trip in their 747-400.
“Where are we headed?” asked the lead flight attendant of the first officer.
“I don’t know. It’s a special trip, we’ll have to wait for the Captain.”
Each member of the crew accomplished his or her preflight inspections. The First Officer gave the 4 turbo fans, wings and fuselage a final check. He patted the shiny metallic skin of the aircraft, still warm from the afternoon sun, then made the climb up the stairs of the jet way. He headed to the front galley to meet the rest of the crew for the flight brief and get a cup of coffee.
It was going to be a full flight. The rest of the crew, 21 in all, slowly gathered in the front galley and watched as a lone figure headed down the jet way from the airport lobby. She was wearing her sharply pressed uniform with her Captains hat set at just the right angle to show authority but yet playfulness. As she came closer into view one of the crewmembers whispered under breath, “It’s the Captain”!
Their attention was now riveted on the figure before them.
“Good Evening” The Captain said as she returned their formal greeting. She reached out and touched the shiny edge of the aircrafts’ doorway as she entered. “It’s been a while old girl, I have sorely missed you.”
The Captain briefed her crew and they took their places, the Captain in the left seat, the F/O in the right and the lead flight attendant between them. “Let’s run the checklist, shall we?” said the Captain. “Oh and may I have some coffee please?”
Smoothly and with great care the two pilots ran the checklists and preformed all the necessary preflight procedures.
“Checklists are complete Captain. The tower has cleared us for taxi and takeoff. No delays expected.”
“Roger that F/O, lets get this beast rolling.”
Cleared for takeoff, the giant bird slowly gathered speed as she headed down the runway.
“Push ‘em up” - Captain
“Set Take Off Thrust” - Captain
“Thrust Set” - F/O
“Airspeed’s alive and checks both sides” – F/O
“Roger” - Captain
“V-1” - F/O
“Rotate” - F/O
“V-2” - F/O
“ Positive Rate” - F/O
“Gear up” - Captain
“Roger gear up” - F/O
“200 feet” - F/O
Roger, I think I’ll hand fly for a while.” - Captain
“Flaps 5” - Captain
“Roger, Flaps 5” - F/O
“Flaps up” - Captain
“Roger, flaps up” - F/O
The runway lights flashed by on either side of the great bird as the engines roared and rumbled through the still evening air.
“I love deep throaty sounds.” The Captain said, satisfied with the aircrafts performance.
“Where are we going Captain?”
“Can’t tell you just yet, but we’re headed West and the destination is better than Fiji.”
The Captain eased back on the yoke and the nose rose slowly in response to the control input.
“The IRU’s seem out of alignment Captain, we’re not getting any reliable nav information.”
“It’s Okay, see that star? We’re just going to follow that star.”
The F/O nodded, he knew the Captain was right. They were headed West.
“10,000 feet”
“Roger, let’s turn the Fasten Seat Belt sign off. I’m pretty sure it’s going to be a smooth flight.”
“Keep the heading on the star guys. Our heading is True West.” The Captain said, confident In her abilities.
The star filled their craft with a light both comforting and warm and after a while the cylindrical walls of the great beast became white in the starlight and almost invisible.
The Captain released her seat belt, stood and turned to address the crew and passengers on the PA. She smiled and spoke to the cabin and crew in a quiet and assured way. Her beloved craft now just a fond memory.
“We are where the skies are clear,
The air is smooth,
And the winds are fair.
We have been on a fantastic journey and this is our destination,
We are HOME so I have asked the flight attendants to open the liquor locker while I propose an old Irish Toast.
Let us toast those who could not come with us this day, for our leaving has made them sad. We are the fortunate ones, we have finished our work, our trials, our tribulations and now we rise. We rise renewed and blazing brightly the heavens newest stars."
What’s your fondest memory of Sydney?
What’s a lesson you learned from Sydney?
Share a story where Sydney's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Sydney you’ll never forget.
How did Sydney make you smile?
