Richard Leo "Dick" Williams was born June 6, 1935, in Philip, South Dakota, the son of Robert Theodore "Ted" Williams and Camilla (Becak) Williams. In the early 1940s he went to live with his uncle and aunt, Edgar and Tressie Williams, after his mother’s death. He grew up and
received his education in the Philip area. During his school years, he began farming and ranching with his uncle and aunt. He graduated from Philip High School in 1955. In 1958, he purchased a well-drilling machine, with which he worked in the summer. During the winter he went to work in California in a welding shop. In the early 1960s, Dick returned to Philip, where he worked on the ranch.
Dick was united in marriage to Kay Fortune on August 8, 1966. They made their home on the ranch he grew up on, and in 1970 purchased the ranch from Edgar and Tressie. In 1987, Dick expanded his operation by purchasing the Alan Smith ranch south of Kadoka, on the White River.
Throughout his life, Dick taught his family to work hard and how to stretch a dollar. He loved to play cards and dance almost as much as he loved to work.
Dick was a member of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, R-Calf, and a member of the Bad River Dance Club.
Grateful for having shared his life include his wife Kay of Philip; three sons Paul Williams of Philip, Mark Williams and his wife Jayme of Kadoka, and Ross Williams and his wife Janice of Philip; three daughters Tina Williams of Kadoka, Kari Martinez and her husband Griff of Casper, Wyoming, and Jodi Williams and special friend Dana Kerns of Philip; fourteen grandchildren; his step-mother Mary Williams of Philip; six half-brothers Jack Williams and his wife Kathy of Billings, Montana, Tom Williams of Philip, Don Williams and his wife Peggy of Rapid City, Mike Williams of Philip, Bruce Williams of Sioux Falls, and Galo Williams and his wife Sheryl of Red Bluff, California; one sister Suzanne Lewison and her husband Larry of Hurley, South Dakota; a sister-in-law Bea Williams of Missoula, Montana; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Dick was preceded in death by his mother Camilla Williams; his father Ted Williams; one brother Robert Dean Williams; his aunt and uncle Edgar and Tressie Williams; and a great-granddaughter Kaya Lynn Huling.
Visitation was held 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 12, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip, with a wake service at 7:00 p.m.
A Christian Funeral Service was held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 13, at the church, with Father Ron Garry officiating.
Interment was in the Masonic Cemetery, Philip.
A memorial is established.
CHRISTIAN SERVICES
Wednesday, July 13, 2005 10:00 a.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota
CLERGY
Father Ron Garry
LECTOR
Rita O’Connell
MUSIC
Marianne Frein - Pianist
Maureen Palecek - Vocalist
"Amazing Grace"
"Prayer of St. Francis"
Glenn Parsons – Special Music
"The Dance"
USHERS
Mark Buchholz – Chuck O’Connor
Jim Root – Burjes Fitch
PALLBEARERS
Bill Ziegenbein – Glen Hostutler
Mickey Daly – Bill O’Connor
J.D. Broyles – Mike Olney
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Dick’s Card Playing Friends
And All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota
"DAD"
He never said, "I love you,"
in words I can recall.
He felt it not the manly thing to do.
Yet, deep within my heart I know
that love was really there.
His eyes, his touch, the things he did
All told me that it’s true.
And now it’s time to say, "Goodbye,"
to Father and to friend.
Sweet memories remain of him,
ones that will not end.
Guest Book
We were your custom harvesters in the 1950's. We loved Edgar and Tressie, and thought a lot of Dick. We're sorry to learn of Dick's passing.
~ Harold and Bobbie Blough
1400 Plains Ave., Weatherford, OK 73096 (7/10/2005)
Dicky was one the nicest men I have ever met. He always had a good joke and a kind smile. I will always remember playing pitch at Earl's Barber shop with him. Heres to your Dick, may you never go "set" again.
~ Ed Harty
21851 Elk Vale Rd., Piedmont, SD (7/10/2005)
Just to let you all know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Remember he will always be watching over you day and night. Take Care.
~ Crystal Bruinsma (Swift)
Mitchell, SD (7/10/2005)
So sorry to hear about the passing of Dick. He was in my high school graduating class and loved by all!! I am so happy to read where he had a good life, good wife, good kids. That is what we all reach for and it looks like Dick had it all. May he rest in peace!!
~ Janet Humphrey
6814 Lakeland Way, Fredericksburg, VA (7/10/2005)
We were sorry to hear about Dick. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Kay and the family. Our deepest sympathy.
~ Ralph & Cathy Fiedler
2130 Ellen St. Lot 4, Sturgis, SD (7/10/2005)
I have known Dick since childhood. We lived on neighboring ranches and went to Old Trail School together. I will miss him and wish to convey my sympathy to his family.
~ Bob McDaniel
PO Box 231, Philip, SD 57567 (7/10/2005)
Kay and family, we are thinking of you all, and our prayers are with you. Emily, I remember you asking for prayers for your grandfather during release time; how pleased Dick will be when God tells him you were praying for him!
~ Justin and Joyce Wheeler
24208 Fairview Road, Philip, SD (7/10/2005)
We were so sorry to hear of the loss of "Dicky" as my father always called him. We are thinking of his family during this time of sorrow. God bless you all. Don and Vi
~ Don and Vi (Lampert) Moody
24134 SD Hwy. 73, Philip, SD 57567 (7/10/2005)
Dear Kay and family,
We want you to know that our prayers will continue to be with you all in the loss of your loved one, and know that we are here for you in any time of need. If there is anything at all that we can do, please know that you can call on us. Jodi has become a very special part of our lives and is a very great young lady and I know her dad is very proud of her and will continue to protect and guide her as he watches over her in all of her great accomplishments in life.
The days to come will be long and dark and always remember he's not far away and that God only takes the best!
Love, Cindy, Jeremy, Shawn and Dana Kerns
~ Cindy Kerns
Philip, SD (7/10/2005)
Kari and Family - I am so sorry for you loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
God bless, Mikela
~ Mikela (Seager) Iverson
5632 W Mandy Ct., Sioux Falls, SD (7/10/2005)
To Kay and family- Our sincere sympathy in this sad time. Know that you are in our prayers.
~ Larry and Barbara Byrne
Sundance, WY (7/10/2005)
Dick will be greatly missed by family and the obit is so true about working and dancing! Remember those times and cherish them!
You're in our prayers!
~ Tom and Shelia Trask
Wasta, SD (7/10/2005)
Sympathy to Kay and family in your loss of Dick. Have known him all my life and appreciate knowing him. He had a wonderful time at our chivarie! Will think of him often and know he is watching over his family.
~ Bev and Cork Jahner
Kerrville, Texas and Philip, SD (7/10/2005)
My thoughts and prayers are with you guys! Remember all the great times and that he will always be watching over you guys and be proud. Jodi I'm thinkin bout you! If I can ever do anything please let me know-God bless and I will keep you in my prayers-Darcy Swift
~ Darcy Swift
Sioux Falls, SD (7/10/2005)
Dear Kay and family,
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all in this really hard time you are going through. If there ever is any way we can be of help to you, please just ask. Dick left a great family here on earth, who will always be a reminder to each other & everybody else of who he was and is a great accomplishment for any man.
And Jody, always know that you had to have made your Dad really proud these past couple years in how you worked hard and excelled in both track & volleyball. He'll still be watching, you just won't be able to see him doing it this next year.
We send you all our sympathy and love,
Kieth & Deb,
Tucker, Chancie, Cassidy, Lincoln, & Colby Smith
~ Kieth and Deb Smith
Philip, SD (7/10/2005)