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James R. "Jim" Williams, age 80, of Philip, died Saturday, August 05, 2006, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital.

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.

Arrangements are with the Rush Funeral Home of Philip.

Wednesday, August 9, 2006 2:00 p.m.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Philip, South Dakota

Father Ron Garry

Marianne Frein – Organist

Maureen Palecek – Vocalist

Marion Matt-Keith Emerson-Lester Pearson

Rita O’Connell

Troy Guptill – Tate Guptill

Tom Harty – Dan Piroutek

Boyd Parsons, Jr. – Bryan Olivier

Dean Fitzgerald – Jim Bob Eymer

Jim Elshere – Byron Parsons

All Jim’s Card Playing Friends

V.F.W. Post #3069

Wheeler-Brooks American Legion Post #173

Masonic Cemetery

Philip, South Dakota

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