Obituary: Percy "Bud" Williams

Funeral Services

Funeral services will take place on Monday, March 30, 2015 at 10:00 AM (Mountain).

Evangelical Free Church
Philip, South Dakota

Visitation

A visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Monday, March 30, 2015, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, and one hour preceding the services at the church.

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In memory of

Percy "Bud" Williams

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Friday, March 27, 2015 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip at the age of 100

Percy Wilson Williams, named for both grandfathers, was born Aug 30th 1914; the third child and first son of seven children born to Frank and Hazel (Percy) Williams. Bud, as he came to be known because of his older two sisters calling him “brother” which eventually was shortened to Bud, received his education at the Sunny Side No. 54 country school north of Wall, SD. Bud grew up 25 miles north of Wall helping his dad with the farm work and eventually helping neighbors with their farming and ranching work. He began riding horses at the age of four becoming a skilled horseman very young and they became a lifelong love of his. He raised, broke, and trained horses for personal use or to sell or trade for decades.

In 1935 Bud went to work for Joe Knapp and caught the eye of Joe’s 3rd daughter, Elberta Josephine or Birdie as she was best known by. When asked how they first met Bud replied “It was probably at a dance. I thought she was cute and asked her to dance. I guess we just kept dancing’-a perfect metaphor for their long, fun-filled, and loving 69 year marriage.

Bud and Birdie married on October 29th, 1937 and spent their first years together in an old school house south of her parents place. Bud often said it had “too many windows to heat it well and the cook stove was propped up by bricks on one corner.” Bud continued to work with Joe Knapp moving houses off of abandoned ranches due to the drought of the 1930’s. He then worked for the WPA helping to create the tunnels through the Badlands. In 1942 they moved west of Cottonwood leasing the Doc Cowan Ranch and began to build their own cow herd. That year their first son, DeLayne Keith was born as well. By 1947 Bud and Birdie began to look for their own ranch purchasing the John and Anna Hockel place south of Philip where he resided until his death. In 1958 their second son Rocky Lane was born.

Bud and Birdie continued to live on, improve on, and love their ranching lifestyle all their days. Bud often reminisced about the neighbor gatherings, socials, skating parties, and of course the dances on Saturday evenings. So many good times remembered through the hard times of a country recovering from droughts and wars. After Birdie’s passing in 2006 Bud continued to actively work the ranch until the fall of his 99th year in 2013. He pacified himself with watching (and directing) from a picnic bench on the front lawn or the picture window in the living room. Bud was a true gentleman cowboy, honest in word and deed, helpful to all who asked and grateful when friends and neighbors helped him. He loved one woman all his life, cherished his siblings with a deep devotion, became a wonderful dad and an idolized grandfather and great-grandfather, passing on by example, the skills of being a ranching cowboy.

Survivors include two sons DeLayne Williams of Philip, and Rocky Williams and his wife Rebecca of Philip; five grandchildren Melody Eisenbraun (John Diedrichs) of Wall, Travis Williams of Middletown, Rhode Island, Joshua Williams and his wife Jamie of Rapid City, Jonathan Williams (Carrie) of Rapid City, and Lacy Williams (Jamari Floyd) of Rapid City; 11 great-grandchildren Tyrel and fiancé Kassidy Batie, Taran, and Tate Eisenbruan, Tannan Groen, Shayna and Sophie Williams, Jazlyn Williams, Treyveon Roberson, TeShaun and Tatum Williams and Tyce Williams-Floyd; one sister Loy Kellem of Summerset; and a sister-in-law Janice Williams of Rapid City; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Bud was preceded in death by his wife Birdie Williams; a daughter-in-law Carlyn Williams; three brothers Milo, Lynn, and Dale Williams; and two sisters Muriel Parkin and Pearl Lurz.

Visitation was held 4-6 p.m. Monday, March 30, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Tuesday.

Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 31, at the Evangelical Free Church in Philip.

Interment was at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

Open the Memorial Folder

VISITATION
Monday, March 30, 2015 - 4-6 p.m.
Rush Funeral Home
Philip, South Dakota

FUNERAL SERVICES
Tuesday, March 31, 2015 - 10:00 a.m.
Evangelical Free Church
Philip, South Dakota
CLERGY
Soni June Wilcox
MUSIC
Soni June Wilcox
"God Must Be A Cowboy At Heart"
"Streets of Laredo"
by Marty Robbins, words by Soni June Wilcox
USHERS
Terry Pinney - Buster Peterson - Kelly Riggins
PALLBEARERS
Joshua Williams - Jonathan Williams - Tyrel Eisenbraun
Taran Eisenbraun - Tate Eisenbraun - Scott Ryan
INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

Sign the guestbook

Bud will be missed, he was a wonderful neighbor and such a kind hearted, soft spoken cowboy. Great example of how a gentleman should live. The amazing thing as Bud was our neighbor for 37 years, he never changed. Prayers for all of his family. ~ Teresa O'Connell Philip (3/27/2015)
Prayers for all of Bud's family. Bud will be greatly missed, as he was my families neighbor for 37 years he never changed. He was such a kind hearted, soft spoken gentleman. A great example of how we should live life and what was important. He won't be forgotten. ~ Teresa O'Connell Philip (3/27/2015)
We are sorry to hear of the loss of such a kind and gentle man. Our thoughts are with all the Williams family during this time. Blessings to you all. ~ Jason and Vonda Hamill Milesville, SD (3/27/2015)
I am so sorry to hear of Bud's passing. He was a very nice man and will be missed by many. ~ Karen Hanson Rapid City, SD (3/27/2015)
Bud was a very special guy, we both enjoyed seeing him at the elevator for many years. Hold onto all the wonderful memories. ~ Les & Joann Pearson Philip, SD (3/27/2015)
Sympathy to all of you in the loss of a kind and thoughtful man. We served on the hospital board together and he was a steady and dedicated board member with a calming demeanor and dry sense of humor. You have so many wonderful memories that will assure his presence in your lives. ~ Nancy Green Valley, AZ (3/27/2015)
Happy trails to you Uncle Bud. You lived a wonderful life which is valued by all who knew you. May the Lord bless you and keep you. ~ Janet and Kenneth Wall (3/27/2015)
Our deepest sympathies, Bud lived a long and good life and will be missed by all who knew him. ~ Marin & Norma Williams Owanka Sd (3/27/2015)
Our deepest sympathies, Bud lived a long and good life and will be missed by all who knew him. ~ Marin & Norma Williams Owanka Sd (3/27/2015)
Very sorry to hear about our loss. I did not know Bud, but I knew Rocky and Rebeca and their families, and their love and devotion to him said a lot about him and his faith. He is with Birdie "dancing again." My prayers are wtih you. ~ Roxy Formanek Hermosa SD (3/27/2015)
What a wonderful legacy Bud left behind. If we are so lucky as to live to see 100, I want to do it just as he did. Hugs to his family and loved ones. ~ Boe and Nancy Knapp Ft Calhoun Ne (3/27/2015)
When we were kids, I would spend a week in the summer visiting Delayne. Bud always made me feel welcome during those visits. Dad (Milo Williams) always said Bud was a good older brother. He was good to do things for the younger kids when they were growing up. ~ Walt and Susan Williams Santa Fe, New Mexico (3/27/2015)
what a life Bud lived!!! So blessed and proud to call him family! He was my double relative :-) his wife Birdie was my great aunt and my Grandpa Willie (Lynn Williams) was his brother, married to my grandma Evelyn Knapp Williams (Birdie's sister). ~ Stacy Keyser Wall, SD (3/27/2015)
Rocky,
So sorry to hear the passing of your dad. It's never easy to lose a loved one.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. ~ Tracy & Phyllis Owens Rapid City, SD (3/27/2015)