Williams, 23, honored

HUNTINGTON BEACH — Dane Williams’ friends gathered Saturday morning to honor his memory at one of the 23-year-old surfer’s favorite spots — off the beach by Pacific Coast Highway, just beyond the waves.

Four days after Williams’ body was discovered in a San Diego alley, more than two dozen friends and family members held a “paddle-out” ceremony in his honor. The group ventured into the water near Williams’ family’s home on surfboards, carrying flowers and a wreath, and held hands in a circle as dozens of others watched from the shore.

Williams’ loved ones held a candlelight vigil for him earlier in the week, and the flowers and candles — some still burning — remained on the sand during the paddle-out along with Williams’ surfboard, skateboard and wetsuit.

Brandon Guilmette, who knew Williams since high school and worked with him at the Costa Mesa-based clothing company Hurley International, said the beach near Pacific Coast Highway and 22nd Street was one of Williams’ favorite surfing spots. He described Williams as a hard worker who was loyal to friends.

“I never even knew Dane to get into an argument,” Guilmette said. “If it got to that point, he’d just say, ‘You win.’ He was the best kind of friend you could ever ask for, bottom line.”

Police remain puzzled about the cause of Williams’ death, which occurred some time after he went missing following a trade show in San Diego Saturday morning. A funeral service is planned for Williams at 1 p.m. Monday at Hope Chapel Huntington Beach, 715 Lake St.

“He was something else, I’ll tell you that,” said his mother, Valen Williams, who attended the paddle-out Saturday. “I’m so proud I was his mother.”

MICHAEL MILLER may be reached at (714) 966-4617 or at michael.miller@latimes.com.