|
Birthplace:
|
Rural Silver City, Iowa
|
Resided In:
|
Henderson, Iowa Arnold V. Williams, age 85, of Henderson, Iowa, passed away Thursday, December 2, 2010 at the Hospice With Heart Hospice House in Glenwood, Iowa. Arnold Vernon Williams, one of 16 children of William and Ethel (Baker) Williams was born February 3, 1925 near Silver City, Iowa. He grew up on the family farm doing chores such as carrying wood and cobbs, pumping water, and milking cows. He and his brothers did lots of hunting including, rabbits, squirrels, and pheasants to name a few. They grew up learning hard work and helping on the farm. Baseball was a favorite sport for the boys. Arnold started at a young age as "bat boy", chasing fly balls, and later joined the team. Arnold went to country school through the 8th grade, then helped on the farm to provide for the family. In June 1944 he was drafted into the United States Army. Since he was a good tractor driver, he was trained as a tank driver. He was in F Company, 3rd Armored Spearhead Division, 1st Army under General Bradley. He served there for 2 years. His combat duties began with the Battle of The Bulge and liberating prison camps. His longest tank drive in one day was 106 miles. His Company was among the army when they met the Russians resulting in the end of the war in Europe. After his discharge in 1946, he began farming on his own when he rented a farm from Rew Burgoin near Silver City. On October 14, 1951, Arnold was united in marriage to Wanda Bowen of Henderson at the Henderson United Methodist Church. They made their first home on the Burgoin farm. They were blessed with their daughter, Debra Lyn on January 13, 1953. Later that year they moved to a farm northwest of Griswold for ten years. They were blessed with the arrival of their son, Ronald Kent on May 9, 1956. They were active members of the Griswold United Methodist Church. In March of 1963 they moved to a Harry Paul farm south of Henderson where they lived until 2002. After retiring and moving to town, Arnold enjoyed gardening in the back yard in a feed bunk and spending time in the orchard. He always shared extra produce with his friends and family. Arnold loved his family and always spent time in the kitchen preparing and serving meals for family and friends. He enjoyed feeding birds and watching them from his easy chair in the living room. The Williams family enjoyed many vacations with one of Arnold's favorite destinations being the McGinnis Ranch in Kemmerer, Wyoming. One day they all got in Aaron's old beater pick up and took a 25 mile drive to the far side corner of the ranch to see the cattle. Arnold came home thrilled as he always wanted to do that. It was a dream, come true. Arnold loved country western music. He and Wanda went to many concerts in Omaha and Branson. They made trips in the spring and fall and enjoyed many shows. He loved to drive through the hills and winding roads of the Ozarks. Arnold was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, especially during the Stan Musial era. He also still enjoyed hunting when he was physically able. In 1975, Arnold and Wanda along with several friends began their leisure time activity of square dancing. After a few weeks of lessons the Henderson Grand Squares Club began. Many clubs from the area came for their dances at the local gym along with lots of good food. For many years they had wonderful week-ends of square dancing at Lake Okoboji. They have a treasure chest of memories of all the fun times. Arnold loved to have crazy costumes and do a lot of practical jokes among friends. Over the years Arnold was involved in county ASCS Committee, Henderson Hornets 4-H Leader, Mills County Teen Club Sponsor, participating in exchanges to Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C., Mills County Fair Board as Poultry Superintendent, Henderson United Methodist Church where he served as board member and tolled the bell each morning before church, and 60 year member of American Legion participating in Memorial Day Services and Funeral Honors. He was honored and felt privileged to participate in one of the World War II honor flights to Washington, D.C. where he was thrilled to see the World War II memorial.
Arnold was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Will, John, George, Victor, Ronald, and Donald; sisters: Mae, Gen, Evelyn, Edna, Pauline, Phyllis, and Norma. Survivors include his wife of 59 years: Wanda Williams of Henderson, Iowa; daughter: Debra Williams of Emerson, Iowa; son: Ronald Williams and wife Kathy of Emerson, Iowa; "adopted daughter": Linda Olsen of Red Oak, Iowa; grandpups: Connor and Cricket; brother: Darrell Williams and wife Bonnie of Silver City, Iowa; sister: Ilene Spetman of Papillion, Nebraska; and sister-in-law: Diane Curtis of Seattle, Washington; many nieces and nephews and countless friends.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at the Henderson United Methodist Church. Burial will take place at Farm Creek Cemetery in Rural Henderson. Visitation with the family will be held from 4 -7 PM Monday, December 6, 2010 at the Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel in Red Oak, Iowa. Memorials are suggested to the Henderson United Methodist Church.
Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel of Red Oak, Iowa is in charge of arrangements.
Visitation:
|
Date: 12/6/2010
Time: 4-7 PM
Comments: Family will be present during visitation.
|
Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel
410 N 6th Street
Red Oak, IA
Get a Map
Driving Directions
Service:
|
Date: 12/7/2010
Time: 10:30 AM
Comments:
|
Henderson United Methodist Church
412 Maple Street
Henderson, IA
Get a Map
Driving Directions
Burial:
|
Date: 12/7/2010
Time: Following services
Comments: Burial will be private with family to greet friends after burial at Henderson Community Building.
|
Farm Creek Cemetery
Henderson, IA
Get a Map
Driving Directions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
