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In memory of

James "Jim" Williams

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Saturday, August 5, 2006 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip at the age of 80

James R. "Jim' Williams was born December 29, 1925, in Pierre, South Dakota, the son of Elmer F. and Margaret (Jacquays) Williams. He attended the Elshere School through the seventh grade and the Hardingrove School in the eighth grade. Jim graduated from Philip High School in 1944. He worked around Haakon and Jackson counties for three years, which included two years for Uncle Bill (WHK) Williams near Cottonwood. In the spring of 1947 he moved back home and worked with his dad until the fall of 1950.

On August 29, 1950, Jim married Elaine Pfeifer at the Catholic Church in Philip. On September 12th, he received greetings from the President of the United States to go on active duty in the United States Army. He served in the Korean War until July 17, 1952, when he returned to Milesville. In 1957, Jim and Elaine purchased the Charley Case place and lived there until October 1966. They moved to the home place until semi retirement in 1981. At that time, they moved to Philip.

Jim served on the ASCS board from 1958 to 1979 when he lost his fingers in a corn picker accident. He served on the Milesville Hall Board several years. In 1972, Jim was the one that got the Milesville Fire Department started and was Fire Chief until his move to Philip. He worked for Haakon County Highway Department for twelve years. Other part-time jobs in his retirement included working for the waterline company, many wood working projects, and for area farmers.

Jim was a member of the VFW Post #3069, the Wheeler-Brooks American Legion Post #173, the Knights of Columbus #2679, and the Philip Cancer Support Group, all of Philip.

Grateful for having shared his life include his daughters and their husbands Delia and Hugh Harty of Milesville, and Jane and Tom Aasby of Rapid City; a son, Peter Williams and his wife Patricia of Calhan, Colorado; three grandchildren, Moneik Harty of Black Hawk, Jim and Ed Harty of Piedmont; three sisters Mildred Jorgensen of Mitchell, Grace Stovall of Gatesville, Texas, and Mae Gades and her husband Arlie of Holloway, Minnesota; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife Elaine on September 30, 2005; his parents; and his step-mother Pearl Williams.

Visitation was held 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 8, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip, with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 9, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with Father Ron Garry officiating.

Interment with military honors by the VFW Post #3069 and the Wheeler-Brooks American Legion Post #173, both of Philip, will be at the Masonic Cemetery.

A memorial is established.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Wednesday, August 9, 2006 2:00 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

CELEBRANT
Father Ron Garry

MUSIC
Marianne Frein – Organist
Maureen Palecek – Vocalist
"On Eagles’ Wings"
"Precious Lord, Take My Hand"
"O’ Sacrament Most Holy"
"Battle Hymn Of The Republic"

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Marion Matt-Keith Emerson-Lester Pearson

LECTOR
Rita O’Connell

ALTAR SERVERS
Troy Guptill – Tate Guptill

USHERS
Tom Harty – Dan Piroutek

ACTIVE PALLBEARERS
Boyd Parsons, Jr. – Bryan Olivier
Dean Fitzgerald – Jim Bob Eymer
Jim Elshere – Byron Parsons

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Jim’s Card Playing Friends

INTERMENT WITH MILITARY HONORS
V.F.W. Post #3069
Wheeler-Brooks American Legion Post #173
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

"Dad…"

He liked a simple life…
Those things that day by day,
Keep the whole world moving
In a special way.

He liked kindly neighbors,
with children playing near,
And family get-to-gethers
With those he held most dear.

He took a certain pleasure
In working with the soil,
And watching nature’s gifts
Reward him for his toil.

He made our world a better place
And through the coming years,
We’ll keep those memories of him
As cherished souvenirs!

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Wednesday, August 9, 2006 2:00 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

  • Our deepest Sympathies to your and your family. God bless you, God bless your family, and God bless the memory of Jim. ~ Robert, Lily, Isaac and Hannah Sipe Puyallup, WA (8/5/2006)
  • We are thinking of you all, and our prayers are with you, especially since Virginia's death. We were sorry the time at the Senechal was so short, and that you had the agony of moving once again. These have been hard days for you, hopefully better days are around the corner. ~ Justin and Joyce Wheeler 24208 Fairview Road, Philip, SD (8/5/2006)
  • Dear Delia, Jane, Peter and families,
    Our hearts truly join you all, in sadness, for your father's passing, especially so very close to your mother's. We are thankful neither one had to suffer long...a blessing in the deep heartache of having to say goodbye. May your pain be short-lived, your memories sweet, and your time together full of the sweetness of laughter through tears. God bless you all.     ~ Rocky and Rebecca Williams Philip, SD (8/5/2006)
  • We extend our sincere sympathy for your loss and wish we could be there for the services as you honor his life. Shizuko and Mike ~ Shizuko and Mike Hanson Fairfax, Virginia (8/5/2006)
  • Dear Delia and Jane, and family.
    My heart goes out to you during this time.
    I hope you know that we will miss your dad but he is now with Aunt Elaine and they are back together. It is good for them, but very sad for you. Will always treasure the time we were able to spend with you at the reunion. May time help to ease your pain and to remember all the good times. Take care, Anna Marchi     ~ Anna Marchi Lynnwood, WA 98087 (8/5/2006)
  • I was so sorry to hear about Jim's passing. He will be missed by many. Your whole family is and will continue to be in our prayers. ~ Joe and Amy (Piroutek) Hogue South Bend, Indiana (8/5/2006)
  • We want to extend our deepest sympathy to your family today. Even though words are of little comfort right now; we want you to know caring thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless each of you during this difficult time. In Love, Sharon and Orrin ~ Orrin and Sharon Johnson Watertown, CT (8/5/2006)
  • Sorry to hear of your loss I'll miss seeing Jim every morning on the paper route. He was such a nice guy. ~ Kevin Schulz Box 136, Philip, SD (8/5/2006)
  • My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of loss. ~ Lianne (Bierwagen) Bjugstad PO Box 1028, Lisbon, ND 58054 (8/5/2006)
  • Sorry to hear about your loss. May GOD be with you in your time of need. ~ Larry & RoseAnn Schulz . (8/5/2006)
  • So sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts are with you. ~ Barb and Carl Larsen Rapid City, SD 57701 (8/5/2006)
  • Moneik - We can't imagine the loss you and your family are going through. We are thinking and praying for you and your family. We know how close you were to your grandpa and that you will have many fond memories of him. ~ Angie & Cory James Clarks Grove, MN (8/5/2006)
  • We would like to express our deepest sympathy for you and your family. Even though we could not make it to Phillip, our thoughts will be with you as you take these next days step by step. We know it is hard to deal w/the lose of another loved one but we would like you to rejoice in the life he lived because it was full of joy and happiness.
    We are trying sorry about the loss of Jim.     ~ Greig & Alice Pfeifer PO Box 415, Hartford, SD (8/5/2006)
  • Moneik & family, we are thinking of you all during this difficult time of loosing your father & grandfather. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you in the coming days. With love from eastern South Dakota, Nichole & Jon Kennedy ~ Nichole & Jon Kennedy 407 Tessa Ave., Hartford, SD (8/5/2006)
  • Moneik, how devastating this time must be for your family God bless you and yours ~ Neil and Joan Agrasto New York (8/5/2006)
  • Our thought and prayers are with your family at this sad time. I have many happy childhood memories of "uncle Jim". We pray that you will be surrounded by the comfort of God, family and friends at this time in your lives. God Bless ~ Barbara, Danny, and Kezia Weaver 1611 Sweetgum, Conroe, TX 77385 (8/5/2006)
  • We were so very sorry to hear about your father. Our thoughts and prays are with you during these trying days. ~ Mike and Cindy Jost Murdo, SD 57559 (8/5/2006)
  • Our thoughts and prayers are with you. What a blessing to have your dad go so gently as he entered Heaven, but bittersweet too. So glad he was able to be at the reunion this summer, and that now he is at a huge reunion in Heaven. God bless and comfort you with His peace and love. Our love and hugs to all of you. Marilyn, Michael and family ~ Michael and Marilyn (Hanson) Long 19595 Campbell Rd., Colorado Springs, CO 80908 (8/5/2006)
  • I'm so sad to hear of your Dad's passing. Just think of how happy both of your parents are right now. Right now I am scheduled to work the day of the funeral but if I can get someone to switch with me I will be there. I enjoyed writing your dad little notes when he was in Rapid. Hopefully he knew he had a lot of people who thought of him and were concerned. I will always treasure my memories staying at your parents' house. They were my adopted family for a lot of years! God bless, Nancy Matthew and family ~ Nancy Matthew 13895 Falcon Pl, Sturgis, SD (8/5/2006)
  • Our sincerest sympathy to the family of Jim Williams. We were so blest to see him at the reunion this summer. Your love was so evident in your caring for him. May God comfort you in your grief and strengthen you in the days to come. In His Grace. . . love and peace, Fred and Mary ~ Fred and Mary Howe 1420 Kennedy Dr., Kirkland, IL 60146 (8/5/2006)
  • Sorry to here about Jim. I am out on the road and will not be able to make it for the funeral. I am so thankful that I was able to visit with him on several occasions over the last couple years. My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of sorrow. ~ Chuck Jobgen Clontarf, MN (8/5/2006)
  • So sorry to hear of Jim's passing. He was a wonderful man, great father and grandfather and a real gift to this world. We will all miss him very much.
    I feel honored to have know him and for your parents to have been my God Parents. They were very special to me.
    I am sure your Mom & Dad are so happy in heaven right now. We will miss him, but he is in a better place with your Mom.
    My thoughts and prayers go out to the family at this very difficult time. God be with you and help you through this sad time.     ~ Theresa Pekron 11407 Depew Way, Westminster, CO 80020 (8/5/2006)
  • I am so sorry, and I wish that I could come but due to health issues I will not be able to attend. My thought and prayers are with you at this time. Cindy and Ron ~ Ron and Cindy Giese 701 18th St., SO, Benson, MN 56215 (8/5/2006)
  • My sympathy goes out to the family. I feel fortunate to have seen Jim at the Hanson in the Hills family reunion and twice, at breakfast, a few days later at the Phillip livestock sales yard restaurant. He seemed so vital. May God bless the family.

    Ernie Sebby     ~ Ernie Sebby 5415 Edna Rd., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-7998 (8/5/2006)