Dennis Wayne Williams

“The memory of a good person is a blessing. Proverbs 10:7”
Dennis Wayne Williams was born on October 10, 1943 to Lawrence and Agnes (Schaal) Williams in Parkston, SD. He was baptized on October 20, 1943 at Parkston Hospital and confirmed on April 14, 1957 at Zion Lutheran Church in Delmont. After graduating from Delmont High School, Dennis moved to Denver, CO and attended Denver Tech while working at Universal Aircraft. On April Fool’s Day 1965, Dennis received a draft letter for Vietnam and was quickly sent to Basic Training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. By Christmas 1965, Dennis was stationed in the Central Highlands of Vietnam as a Crew Chief Door Gunner on UH-1D Huey Chopper with 170th Assault Helicopter Company. He received numerous Air Medal awards in his one year of duty along with the Vietnamese Honor and Gallantry Cross with a Gold Star, the second highest award given by the Vietnamese Government. He was united in marriage to Sandra Peters on September 28, 1968 in Delmont and were blessed with 49 anniversaries together. To this union, 4 children were born: Kevin, Kurtis, Krischel, and Kameron. When he returned home from service, Dennis had a successful career in the construction industry and eventually formed his own contractor and building business in Yankton until retiring. Family and friends called him “Willie” and could recognize his boisterous laugh from across a room. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and sharing this passion with his sons and grandsons. His family will forever remember and treasure the many memories and laughs with their husband, dad, and grandpa over the years. He was a man that touched many hearts. His smile and wit will be missed by all. Dennis went to his heavenly home on April 8, 2018.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Sandra of Yankton; four children: Kevin (Marya) Williams of South Lake, TX; Kurtis (Shannan) Williams of Castle Rock, CO; Krischel (Sean) Crawley of Denver, CO; Kameron (Dianna) Williams of Kansas City, MO; 9 grandchildren: Derrick & Ryan Williams, Joseph (Jennifer) Williams, Jacob, & Joshua Williams; Brooks & Autumn Crawley; Kolton & Bryson Williams; and three sisters: Marlyne Fink of Mitchell, Ardith Lantz of Lake Andes, and Lynn (Keith) Stoebner of Tripp.
He was preceded in death by his parents and infant brother.
“Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day, unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear.”