Dave Williams served in the U.S. Navy from 1980-1984 and will tell you that where he is today is not what he wanted, but it’s where he is meant to be.

“My plan after the Navy was to go to college and become a software designer. The accident kiboshed that plan and my journey deflected,” Williams told a few people at the Plains VFW on a recent Friday night as he sets up his easel.

The accident occurred when a hatch on a ship fell and struck him in the head, causing a traumatic brain injury that altered the course of his life.

Williams was gifted with math and electrical understanding and worked directly on naval aircraft performing the most technical duties imaginable.

After the accident, Williams moved to an aviation ground support technician as his keen sense of understanding mathematical challenges was gone.

Today, the long-time Plains resident is known as a wonderful veterans advocate. He created Joint Operation Mariposa six years ago which is a non-profit 501c-3.

"Sometimes military people need help adapting when they get out of the service. It's a readjustment to society," said Williams. "We here at JOM are trying to address the suicide rate as well as other issues facing veterans and their families.

"Some of the other issues are depression, isolation, skills gaps, as a result of PTSD, TBIs (traumatic brain injury) and other injuries received on active duty."

This evening, Williams was teaching sponge acrylic painting which is a form of therapy.

“Art is not the cure, but it is a bridge to help you heal and get better,” Williams said to the 18 participants.

After leaving the Navy, one of the jobs Williams had was working for a large landscaping company in California. One day his supervisor told Williams to go to a site and rough sketch the grounds area they would be working on and bring it back.

“I’d never drawn or sketched before so it was a bit intimidating but after a while, my drawings reflected much more detail than was needed, but it started me on the part of drawing and art,” Williams said.

His artwork is well known in Sanders County and his teaching helps the instructor and the students alike.

Last Friday, the Rainbow Eucalyptus tree, which is native to the Philippines with vibrant colors, was the subject and after a discussion on the process, paints and sponges went to work on canvas.

Hailey Steinebach refers to Williams as ‘Uncle Dave’ as she has been his right-hand-helper with various projects he has taken on as she set up the tables, palates and paint with brushes for the evening class.

Her favorite event with ‘Uncle Dave’?

“Oh, hands down, the 1000-foot burlap horse project along Main Street in 2018,” Steinbache said.

There were 20 seats to fill this evening, but it was also the same night as the monster truck event at the Sanders County Fairgrounds and that activity may have pulled some from the paint therapy session.

But 8-year-old Chloe Moneselet was the lucky one when she was invited to paint. Williams showed her painting to everyone so they could see how well she did, which made her even happier.

Mariposa treasurer Matt Amble came over from Helena for the class.

“Dave enjoys doing this as much as the people taking the classes do,” Amble said.

Amble was in Plains because for the prior 2 days, Gray Beard Films from Austin, Texas, had been in town as they were filming a documentary on Williams.

Friday was the final evening of the shoot.

Whitefish Credit Union Brand Marketing Specialist, Elizabeth Kozar explained the project.

“We’ve selected everyday Montanans who do something extra special in their communities and are highlighting them in 5- to 7 minute documentaries showing the goodness in our communities," Kozar said.

"We completed one last week using Sherry Hagerman-Benton in Thompson Falls who is retiring from the Sanders County Ledger after 41 years but has taken care of the gorgeous gardens in the town as a Master Gardener and her involvement in the Thompson Falls Historical Society. Good people with good character,” Kozar said.

The documentaries will air on their website later this year.