Walter J. Williams (1914-2008)

WILLIAMS, TEIG, HANSON, OWENS

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 4/28/2009 at 19:30:39

THE STORY CITY HERALD, Story City, Story County, Iowa, Wednesday, December 31, 2008.

Walter J. Williams, 94, formerly of Jewell, passed away Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008 at Stratford Care Center. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Dec. 30, at 1:30 p.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, rural Jewell. Burial followed the service in the Story City Municipal Cemetery. A visitation of family and friends was held Monday, Dec. 29th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Soderstrum Funeral Home in Story City.

Walter Jennings Williams, son of Willie and M. Gurina (Teig) Williams was born June 16, 1914 at their family farm in southern Hamilton County. He was baptized and confirmed by Rev. Hans Oppedal at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in rural Jewell. Walter graduated from Story City High School in 1935 and attended Waldorf and Iowa State College. He worked in North Dakota and California for a time, and then returned to the family farm.

In 1940, Walter was united in marriage to Gladys Hanson by Rev. Olaf Holen of Roland. They made their home on the family century farm and continued to live there for 67 years.

Walter was a lifelong member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, where he was active by serving in many capacities. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His faith in God and love for his wife, family, and church were his greatest joys. Walter and Gladys had a loving marriage of 68 years together.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister Judith Swenson.

He is survived by his wife Gladys; sons Gary (Jan), Paul (Jennifer), and Ronald (Penny); grandchildren Stacia (Jason) Owens, Alicia Williams, Kirk Williams, Meredith Williams, and Andrew Williams; and two great-grandchildren Natasha and Katarina Owens.