Donald R. Williams

Donald R. Williams, 91, passed away on Monday, July 17.

Donald was born October 10, 1925 in Jamestown, ND. He was the son of Harvey and Celia (Coil) Williams. Donald attended school in Lippert Township and Jamestown High School.

Donald served in U. S. Army from April 17, 1945 at Fort Snelling to discharge December 13, 1946 at Ft. Lewis, Washington, T-5, serving in Okinawa and the Philippines.

Donald married Esther L. Willey, daughter of Lloyd and Josephine (Anderson) Willey of Ypsilanti, ND on September 15, 1945. They farmed in Lippert and Moon Lake townships until the fall of 1958, when they purchased a farm in Moon Lake Township where they resided until 1982, moved to Cleveland, ND and continued farming until 1987. Esther passed away on December 8, 1998. Donald moved to the Veteran’s Home in Lisbon in the fall of 2011 and to Jamestown on June 1, 2017. He enjoyed playing pinochle; appreciated country dance and music; was a great story-teller and loved to laugh; looked forward to traveling, always looking over the hill to see what was on the other side.

Donald served on both Lippert and Moon Lake Township Boards, on the Moon Lake School Board, the Cleveland Town Council, and served as an agent and director at the James River Valley Insurance. He also served as Director of Stutsman Rural Water Board (1975-2005) and was president for 8 years (1986-1993). He was a lifetime member of the American Legion and VFW.

Donald is survived by two brothers, Vern and Kenneth, 13 children: Louise Williams – Jamestown, ND, Donald O. (Sylvia) Williams - Jamestown, ND, Marlys Williams – Albuquerque, NM, Warren (Deb) Williams – Jamestown, ND, Diane (Rick) Fergus – Jamestown, ND, Sharon (Rodney) Kluvers – Litchville, ND, Irene (Jerry Mayer) Williams – Jamestown, ND, Randy (Cheryl) Williams – Jamestown, ND, Kae Bollinger – Forest Lake, MN, Doug (Karen) Williams – Bismarck, ND, Lori (James) Monroe – Hinesville, GA, Danelle (Paul) Williams Nelson – Brooklyn Center, MN and Gina (John) Jones – Jamestown, ND, numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Esther Dunphy and LaVerne Wahl, brother Robert Williams, his wife Esther of 53 years, 3 grandchildren: Jenna Williams, Sara Jones, Daryn Moser; one step-grandchild Casey Jones; and two son-in-laws, Robert Kramer and Bruce Bollinger.

Visitation is from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Thursday, July 20, 2017 at Eddy Funeral Chapel with a prayer service to follow at 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Funeral service will be at 10:00 AM, Friday, July 21 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Jamestown, ND. Burial will be in North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery in Mandan, ND at 3:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers family prefers donations to WDAY Honor Flight, American Legion, 308 Sheyenne St., West Fargo, ND 58078.

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