Gene Edward Williams was born in his grandparents' sod house on White Water Creek in Pennington County, near Quinn, South Dakota, to Lee Edward and Doris Eugene (Putnam) Williams, the eldest of five sons.

He graduated from Pleasnat Valley School and grew to adulthood on his parents' ranch south of Quinn.

Gene was united in marriage to Saxon M. Guptill on August 23, 1937, at Philip, South Dakota.  They were honored by their children and friends with a 50th anniversary on August 23, 1987.

Until the time of his death, Gene ranched on the home place that he and Saxon purchased March 1, 1949, near Badlands National Park at Cactus Flat.

Gene's early adulthood was marked with the Depression years and he worked for the WPA (Work Progress Administration) on several projects, including the building of the Interior School in 1939.

Gene was a man who loved the land and was always proud of his horses and cattle.  A rancher of the post-war era, he was interested in the new inventions available and was one of the first in Jackson County to install a 32 volt light plant in his home, ahead of the coming of the Rural Electric Association (REA).

Gene's pioneering work with soil conservation measures was recognized when he was named the S.D. Soil and Moisture Achievement Rancher of the Year for Jackson Coutny in 1956.  He was honored at South Dakota State College for this work.

Devoted to his family, Gene was the subject of a Father's Day essay published in Farm Journal that was selected as the George Washington Medal of Honor Award.

Gene was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Interior, a 40 year member and Worshipful Master of Mount Moriah Masonic Lodge #155 of Kadoka, served on the White River Grazing Assocation, the Jackson County ASC Board, and was a board member of the Cedar School District.

Grateful for having shared his life are his children, two daughters: Dr. Joane McKay and her husband, Dr. Donald McKay of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and June Covington of Cedar Falls, Iowa; one son, Gene S. Williams and his wife, Linda, of Philip; five grandchildren: Marc McKay of Iowa City, Iowa; Troy McKay of Cedar Falls, Iowa; Lori Rae Covington and her husband, Eddie Simon, of Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada; Tristen and Trevor Williams of Philip; one great-grandson, Eric Jonathan Covington of Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada; three brothers: Verl and his wife, Wava Williams of Denver, Colorado; Lyle and his wife, Viola Williams, of Box Elder, South Dakota; and Leslie and his wife, Kay Williams, of Wall, South Dakota; his father-in-law, Ralph Hockenbary of Philip; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Saxon; his parents, Lee and Doris (Putnam) Williams; one grandson, Robert Lee Covington; one brother, Forest "Bud" Williams.

A memorial is established.

Services
Monday, January 15, 1996
2:00 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church
Interior, South Dakota

Officiating
Reverend Don Lagge

Music
Marilyn Millage - Pianist
Debbie Smith - Vocalist

Ushers
Francis Guptill - Perry Guptill

Active Pallbearers
Marc McKay - Troy McKay
Myron Williams - Marvin Williams
Kevin VanderMay - Grady Crew

Honorary Pallbearers
All relatives and friends in attendance

Interment
Interior Cemetery
Interior, South Dakota