Birth date: Nov 7, 1933 Death date: Jul 29, 2003
James (Jim) Frederic Williams, 69, died Tuesday, July 29, at Springdale Health and Rehab Hospital in Springdale, AR. Jim was born November 7, 1933 in Moorhead, MN to James F. and Gladys (Forsness) Williams, the first of ten child Read Obituary
Jane, I'm so sorry to hear of your great loss. I will think of your family often.. My condolences, Esther
When I think of our dear brother Jim I think of Phil. 4:8 & 9..."whatever is true,...whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,...think about such things...put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Jim practiced a life of goodness, decency and honesty and he shared in the peace of God his entire life. Now he is with our Heavenly Father and his earthly father and enjoying eternal happiness. Jim, you led a good life and your light shines on.
My brother Jim's nickname for me when I was very young was "Bones". He was an expecially nice big brother who had wonderful qualities like patience, humility and a strong love of family!
In the early 1960's he and Jane (his wife) took me and my sister on a "real adventure", to Yellowstone National Park. It was my first big trip, and started my love of travel.
I remember how meticulously he used to detail his car, and I loved to "hang out" with him while he did it.
He was a great example of how to live life gracefully, quietly and honestly. I loved and respected him very much, and because love is eternal, I know he's joined our Dad in Heaven and we'll be with him, again.
My most sincere condolences to Jane and the kids. I've admired Jim my whole life and will continue to learn from his great example through the rest of my life.
He enjoyed the everyday things like, working outdoors, helping a neighbor, visiting with friends and family, eating a simple peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
He took pride in providing for and raising his family well. In his relations with anyone, his word was his bond. This is an uncommon and sorely missed quality in today's world.
I'm very proud to be his brother and I will continue to think of him often, knowing he's living eternally happy with God.
Jim, I'll be missing you!
One story, of many, illustrates his love and familial devotion. Brother Greg and I were around 8 and 10 years of age when Jim, just home from his military service, treated us to a tour of the Wisconsin Dells and then to a visit with Grandma Thompson in Watoma, Wisconsin. I know that most 20 year olds wouldn't want to be spending their new freedom toting around little brothers and sisters, but it was just so typical of Jim and his love for his family.
He leaves us with fond and grateful memories as well as a wonderful and loving wife and family.
Thanks, Jim, for being my brother. I love you. Keep a careful eye on all of us!
Peggy
Jim was twelve years older than I. Among my earliest memories is a game he
played with me when I was 4 or 5. He would walk up to me, bend down on one knee, put a hand on each of my shoulders,
look straight into my eyes and say, "WHAT
IS THE REASON? TELL ME THE REASON!" I
would say, "I don't know. I don't know what it is." He would shake me not too hard, but not too gently either, and say again, "I NEED TO KNOW THE REASON. TELL ME THE REASON." I would laugh and laugh and say I don't know. He would repeat the words and I would laugh again. I loved it and he knew it. That's why he did it.
About that time he worked at a service station down town. He walked to and from work. One day I was in the back yard and I saw him coming across the nurses' ground behind our house. There was a wire fence covered with vines across the back of our yard; an impenetrable barrier to me beyond which I thought must lie many of the mysteries and adventures of the world. Jim was walking straight for the fence, and I wondered how he would get across. To my amazement he simply put his hand on a fence post and without losing stride swung himself over. He made it look so easy and I wondered if I would ever be able to do that.
A little later he was drafted into the army and when he left I had to sleep alone in a room for the first time. For several nights after he left I had an awful nightmare. Terrible, dreadful-looking men armed with knives and clubs and swords were trying to fight their way to my bed while Jim was fighting as hard as he could to defend me.I would wake up crying and terrified. Whenever it happened my big sister Jeanie would come into my room and stay with me. After a few weeks the nightmares went away. Jim's and Jean's love had defeated those monsters so completely they have never dared return to torment me.
Jim moved on to marry, raise five wonderful children and live the life of a responsible, loving man. Out of nowhere he was struck by that insidious, merciless disease that we all knew would eventually kill him. The week before he died his wonderful wife and I talked about how unfair it was. But it occurred to us that perhaps the finest of our kind are willing to take on this kind of burden so that someone else wouldn't have to. Jim would do that.
On July 29th my big brother crossed life's final barrier, a mysterious barrier that all of us will find our way across eventually. I believe that Jim crossed just as easily as he did our backyard fence all those years ago. Only this time on the other side was not just a wide-eyed little kid, but Our Lord Jesus Christ who walked up to him, put a hand on each of his shoulders, looked straight into his beautiful brown eyes and said, "Welcome, Jim. Well done! Now, take a look around. THIS IS THE REASON."
Uncle Jim was such a kind, friendly, pleasant and all around nice person. I always looked forward to seeing him and his family during their summer visits. He was so much fun to have down at our lake cabin, and we will miss him very much. Jim was the best.
We are thinking of you all at this time of sorrow.
I was so very sorry to hear that Jim had passed away. He was a kind and helpful man. I worked for him during the early 80's at the VA. He was very detailed and extremely wise. My prayers are with his family.
When I think of Jim and getting together with all the Williams', I always remember trying to find a quiet spot to visit with Jim. He was such a soft-spoken man, and so easy to visit with. Sweet, kind, sincere and with an easy smile are just a few of the ways I will remember him. Soft voice-BIG heart!
My husband occasionally reminds me of some "handyman" advice given him by his big brother, Jim: "You know, you don't have to buy the most expensive (tool, appliance, materials, whatever), but DON'T buy the cheapest you can find, either. It'll come back to haunt you!!" :~)
He will be missed by so many.
With love, Susan
