Obituary for Loyd A. Williams
Loyd Arnold Williams (1934-2019), son of Ralph and Cora (O'Brian) Williams was born on June 27, 1934 in Quinn, SD and grew up near Martin, SD on The Pine Ridge Reservation. Loyd was led to the Lord in a tent meeting by a horseback preacher at age 14 when he understood for the first time that he was deeply loved by God himself. He graduated from Rapid City High School in 1954 and following graduation entered the United States Army. He married Kathleen Marie Mahaffy on December 26, 1956 so he could take her with him to Fort Meade, Maryland.
After completing his military obligations, they moved to Britton, SD where he shared ownership of a Mobile service station. He eventually sold the business and bought a farm near Langford, SD. The entire family worked hard to turn it into a dairy farm. Loyd came to be known and well loved by his neighbors. He was an active member of Rose Hill Evangelical Church, willingly serving and caring where he could. In 1985, Loyd and Kathy moved to Baker City, OR where they lived and worked. They were members of the Baker City Church of the Nazarene until moving to Watertown in 2017 and enjoying retirement closer to many of his children and joining The Bridge Church family.
Loyd was much loved by his children, many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren whom he devotedly loved right back. He was an avid storyteller and enjoyed playing games with everyone, especially Rummikub, 2500 and Pinochle where his mischievous sense of humor would often show through his big grin and twinkling eyes.
He was known for being devoted to his loved ones, deeply committed to his principles, and always genuine. He loved God deeply and his faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior was the most important thing in his life. He would talk to anyone about God given the chance. He would frequently say "I want to be walking along one step here, and the next in glory." He got his wish on Sunday, February 10, 2019 at the age of 84.
Loyd is survived by his dearly loved wife, Kathleen; their children, Wanda Brady of Sioux Falls, SD, Barbara (Rick) Klein, Marie (Gary) Suman, Laura Lea (Dan) Relph all of Watertown, SD, Karen (Mel) Henry of Kimberly, ID, and Rob (Sarah) Williams of Baker City, OR; his siblings, Laura Sparks of Mesa, AZ, Floyd Williams of Baker City, OR, Deloris Kruze of Watertown, SD, Mary Jane Peffley of Ottowa, KS, Patrick Williams of Deer Lodge, MT, Patsy Scotting of Canistota, SD, Doug Williams of Yakima, WA and Paul Williams of Baker City, OR. He is greatly missed by 17 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and other family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Cora, and four siblings, Johny, Marjie, Harold and Lorrain.
Funeral services for Loyd A. Williams of Watertown, SD will be at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 15, 2019 at The Bridge Church, at 810 Jenson Ave. SE in Watertown.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, February 14, 2019 at the Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Watertown, SD.
Pallbearers will be Logan Maness, Jesse Suman, Jordan Suman, Matt Klein, Robert Klein, Nathan Henry, Jake Parsons and Zac Myers.
After completing his military obligations, they moved to Britton, SD where he shared ownership of a Mobile service station. He eventually sold the business and bought a farm near Langford, SD. The entire family worked hard to turn it into a dairy farm. Loyd came to be known and well loved by his neighbors. He was an active member of Rose Hill Evangelical Church, willingly serving and caring where he could. In 1985, Loyd and Kathy moved to Baker City, OR where they lived and worked. They were members of the Baker City Church of the Nazarene until moving to Watertown in 2017 and enjoying retirement closer to many of his children and joining The Bridge Church family.
Loyd was much loved by his children, many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren whom he devotedly loved right back. He was an avid storyteller and enjoyed playing games with everyone, especially Rummikub, 2500 and Pinochle where his mischievous sense of humor would often show through his big grin and twinkling eyes.
He was known for being devoted to his loved ones, deeply committed to his principles, and always genuine. He loved God deeply and his faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior was the most important thing in his life. He would talk to anyone about God given the chance. He would frequently say "I want to be walking along one step here, and the next in glory." He got his wish on Sunday, February 10, 2019 at the age of 84.
Loyd is survived by his dearly loved wife, Kathleen; their children, Wanda Brady of Sioux Falls, SD, Barbara (Rick) Klein, Marie (Gary) Suman, Laura Lea (Dan) Relph all of Watertown, SD, Karen (Mel) Henry of Kimberly, ID, and Rob (Sarah) Williams of Baker City, OR; his siblings, Laura Sparks of Mesa, AZ, Floyd Williams of Baker City, OR, Deloris Kruze of Watertown, SD, Mary Jane Peffley of Ottowa, KS, Patrick Williams of Deer Lodge, MT, Patsy Scotting of Canistota, SD, Doug Williams of Yakima, WA and Paul Williams of Baker City, OR. He is greatly missed by 17 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and other family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Cora, and four siblings, Johny, Marjie, Harold and Lorrain.
Funeral services for Loyd A. Williams of Watertown, SD will be at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 15, 2019 at The Bridge Church, at 810 Jenson Ave. SE in Watertown.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, February 14, 2019 at the Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Watertown, SD.
Pallbearers will be Logan Maness, Jesse Suman, Jordan Suman, Matt Klein, Robert Klein, Nathan Henry, Jake Parsons and Zac Myers.