James F. Williams' Obituary
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 children. He spent his summers during grade school years in Greenbush, MN on his uncle Harold Forsness?s farm. While in high school, he spent summers in Georgetown, MN with his great uncle Frances Wambach. In 1945 the family moved across the state line to Fargo, ND where Jim grew into an active teenager. His family often rented cabins on various lakes where he fished with his grandmother and dad. Besides fishing, he also loved to hunt, swim, and ski. During high school, he worked at a gas station driving the wrecker truck, a job that was the source of many adventures. He graduated from Fargo's Shanley High School in 1951.
Jim was drafted into the Army two weeks before the end of the Korean War. After Basic Training at Ft. Riley, KS, he spent eighteen months in Germany driving a wrecker truck (again). After completing his tour of duty, Jim returned to Fargo and attended Interstate Business College where he met his future wife Jane Evans, daughter of Erwin and Melba Evans of Ulen, MN. He then attended Wahpeton State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND for two years, afterwards taking a job with the VA Hospital of Fargo in the spring of 1957.
Jim and Jane were married August 31, 1957, and lived in Fargo for the next three years. During that time, Julie, the first of five children, was born in 1958. In 1960 they moved to nearby Sabin, MN where Keith was born in 1961 and Tim in 1964. Jim transferred with the VA Hospital to Fayetteville, AR in 1966. Over the next few years they completed their family when Daniel was born in 1969 and Tina in 1970. Jim finished his career with the VA Hospital in 1990 as a Personnel Management Specialist.
Jim often took his family camping and on sightseeing trips throughout the country. Together, they also attended ballgames, swim meets, and band concerts. Jim was always a handyman around the house- fixing and building just about anything, including patios, decks, a carport, and two extra bedrooms for his growing family. He always had time for neighbors and friends, completing home improvement jobs for them when needed. Upon retirement, Jim and Jane spent the next ten summers in Ulen where he continued doing handyman jobs and visiting with extended family members and friends.
A quiet, faithful man, Jim lived for God and family, and his integrity was seen by all. He is survived by his wife Jane of Fayetteville, AR; daughter Julie (Peter) Stensgard of Woodbury, MN; son Keith (Martine) Williams of Springdale, AR; son Tim Williams of Houston, TX; son Danny (Laura) Williams of Springdale, AR; and daughter Tina (Eric) Brown of Rogers, AR. He also leaves ten grandchildren: Luke, Phillip, and Leah Stensgard; Meaghan, Spencer, and Madeline Williams; Alexandra and Abigail Williams; and Isaac and Levi Brown.
He is also survived by his mother, Gladys Williams of Fargo; sisters Jean Wold, Kathleen McCroskey, Joan Schuh all of Fargo, ND, Peggy Antonelli of Raleigh, NC, , Jane Lamont of Minneapolis, MN Deborah Hinderliter of Franklin, TN, Laura Jaffee of Eads, TN; brothers Greg Williams of Fargo, ND Mike Williams of Fargo, ND; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jim will be greatly missed, but we all rejoice in where he is now.
Funeral services will be held Monday, August 4, 2003 at 11:00 AM in the Bethleham Lutheran Church in Ulem MN with burial to follow at the West Cemetery of Bethleham Lutheran Church.
To sign the online quest book go to www.nelsonberna.com.
Visitation Date Time July 31, 2003 Noon until 9:00 PM with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM Visitation Location Nelson-Berna Funeral Home Service Date Time August 4, 2003 11:00 AM Service Location Bethleham Lutheran Church in Ulen, MN
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