Donald Williams

Donald Williams, age 86, of Clinton, Minnesota, died on March 7, 2013. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 11, at the Clinton United Methodist Church. Visitation will be at the church on Sunday, March 10, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. and also one hour prior to the service on Monday. Reverend Anna Williamson will officiate, Jeanine Mills will be the organist, and Tammy Ragan will be the soloist. Burial, with Military Honors, will be at the Clinton City Cemetery. Casket bearers will be David Alberts, Dale Martig, Doug Arens, Bruce Benson, Craig Strobel, and Dewayne Redfield.

Donald Lee Williams was born on September 17, 1926, in Graceville, Minnesota, to David Archie and Gertrude Gates Williams. He grew up in Malta Township and graduated from Clinton High School in 1944. Don entered the United States Army on January 29, 1946, served stateside and was honorably discharged on May 15, 1947. He returned to Clinton and owned Don's Red Owl Grocery Store.

Don was united in marriage to Lois Ruby Jenson on February 7, 1959. To this union three daughters were born. In 1966, Don was elected Big Stone County Treasurer, a position he held until December 31, 1993. He was also employed as a funeral assistant for Moberg Funeral Home and continued on with Mundwiler and Larson Funeral Homes until early 2012.

Don epitomized the word service. His touch was felt by many organizations and many individuals. A lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, he was often a lay speaker. He was a member of the Campbell-Williams American Legion Post 258, Rice Hospice, Big Stone County Cancer Support Group, CGB Sports Boosters, Kiwanis, Clinton Commercial Club, and the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department. He served on the Clinton Community Clinic Board. Don volunteered his time in many ways – as a bereavement counselor, a lunch buddy at the CGB Elementary School, a Meals on Wheels deliverer, a scorekeeper at basketball games, and helping seniors fill out their Property Tax Refunds. Loving his Clinton community, he helped organize many of the city celebrations. Don was instrumental in the foundation of the Clinton Care Center and gave his time to the nursing home over the years. He continued to conduct their Sunday afternoon worship services even after he became a resident. Although Don did not seek the attention, he was the recipient of many awards in his later years – Hospice Volunteer of the Year in 2000, CGB Friend of the Arts Award, finalist for the KSAX Television Jefferson Award in 2011, Grand Marshall of the CGB Homecoming Parade in the fall of 2011, and in 2012 the CGB Yearbook was dedicated to him.

In his free time, Don enjoyed watching sports of all kinds - the Minnesota Twins, the U of M Gophers, and the Clinton Cards. At the local schools, you would find his attendance at every event, whether music, drama, or sports. Don never missed an event that his children or grandchildren were involved in. His devotion to his family was never-ending.

Don died on March 7, 2013, at the Clinton Care Center, having reached the age of 86.

Left with his loving memory are his daughters: Gerilee (Bob) Greeley of Shakopee, MN, Joette (Bruce) Strobel of Clinton, MN, Sandy (Greg) Vold of Graceville, MN; seven grandchildren: Michael (Lauren) Greeley, Andrew Greeley, Brietta (Jordon) Hennessy, Marissa Strobel, Rhianna Strobel, Callie Vold, and Marshall Vold; and two great-grandchildren: Makaya and Logan Hennessy.

Don is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lois, in 1998; his grandson, Jeffrey Greeley; his sisters: Audria and Beulah; and his brothers: Nathan, Kenneth, Harold, Almo, Charles, and Paul.