Gary Williams, 71, of Brookings died Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017.
Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Ascension Lutheran Church in Brookings. Burial is at 2:30 p.m. at Salem Lutheran Cemetery at Center with refreshments to follow. Visitation will be held from 5-7 pm on Friday, also at the church, followed by a prayer service at 7 p.m.
Gary Earl Williams was born June 10, 1946, to Ruth (Evans) and Earl Williams of Winfred. He graduated from Winfred High in 1964. He graduated from SDSU in January 1969 at which time he was commissioned into the Army as a second lieutenant. He served one year in Vietnam with the 11 Armored Cavalry Division. He returned in 1971 when he married Veronica (Button) in Carthage.
Gary worked in banking for 40 years. He started with Production Credit in Sioux Falls, Madison, and Salem. He worked as ag lender for McCook National Bank which became First Dakota. He finished his career as president of the First Security Bank in Lake Benton.
In 2013, he and Roni moved to Brookings where he greatly enjoyed sports and other events on the SDSU campus. They enjoyed traveling and making family connections in Europe. They especially enjoyed historic sites in the USA.
While living in those various communities he was active in 4-H leadership, Lions clubs, the American Legions, church councils, and many other organizations to promote growth and development of the community. Living on acreages allowed Gary to raise livestock and gave him room for his woodworking hobby. He loved playing basketball until he was 69. Gary thrived on helping people, being unable to help others was the hardest part of his two-year battle with cancer.
He is survived by his wife, Veroncia; daughter, Threasa (Wayne) Hopkins of Arlington and son Garron (Alyssa Stitt) Williams of Mankato, Minn., sister Kay (Steve) Julius of Madison; brother, Ken Williams of Sioux Falls, three step-sisters and five step-brothers, and several nieces, nephews and cousins and five grandchildren
Gary was preceded in death by his step-father Jim Westall, and two step-siblings.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials towards the SDSU Foundation, Ascension Lutheran Church, or Salem Lutheran Cemetery at Center.
For online condolences, visit www.kinzleyfh.com.
