Merlin Williams

Merlin Lee Williams, 67 of White River, S.D., passed away on Friday, October 4, 2013, at the Winner Regional Long Term Care Facility.  A graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. at the White River Cemetery in White River.

Merlin was born in Sioux City, Iowa, on July 15, 1946, to Dorothy and Marvin T. Williams.  He grew up on the family ranch near White River, and attended the Paleck Country School and the White River Public School.  After selling the ranch, Merlin and his parents moved into White River where he lived until moving into the Winner Regional Long Term Care Facility.  He lived there until his sudden death on October 4, 2013.  Merlin never married.

Merlin was very happy living in the country and tending to his farm animals and the ways of the farm life.  His favorite job was planting and harvesting the crops because he loved to drive the tractors.  Once a week, Merlin could be found working at the auction barns in Winner, Ft Pierre, or Presho.

Merlin was a warm and friendly person and made friends wherever he went.  He always had time to lend a helping hand or stop and talk a while.  He was an active member of 4-H and helped his sister’s with their 4-H projects.  He was also a member of the Frontier Twirlers Square Dance Club and attended dances all over the state.  Since his father was an American Legion member, Merlin was volunteered to do odd jobs for the Legion.  One of these was lending a helping hand keeping the rodeo arena in tip-top shape.  At the Frontier Days Rodeo he could be found parking cars or checking passes at the back gate. 

After moving into town, he busied himself by watching old movies and digging into the family genealogy.  He made several trips to the neighboring states gathering information about the “Williams family”.

Merlin is survived by his father: Marvin T. Williams, of Winner Long Term Care Facility; three sisters: Karen McCullough (Jim) of Clearfield, S.D., Doreen Williams (Skip) of Ainsworth, Neb., and Judy Williams (Jerry) of Huron, S.D.; four nephews and nieces, Cricket Raschke (Greg), Bart McCullough (Raine), Tabbatha Cornelius (Corey), and Bud Tarrell (Maacah); and five great nephews and nieces, Tristen, Graeden, Wyatt, Nina, and B’Elanna.

He was preceded in death by his mother: Dorothy Williams.