Loyd Williams

Formerly of Baker City, 1934-2019

Loyd Arnold Williams, 84, of Watertown, South Dakota, and formerly of Baker City, died Feb. 10, 2019.

Visitations will be Thursday, Feb. 14 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown. His funeral will be Friday, Feb. 15 at 1 p.m. at The Bridge Church in Watertown. Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery in Watertown.

Loyd was born on June 27, 1934, at Quinn, South Dakota, to Ralph and Cora (O’Brian” Williams. He grew up near Martin, South Dakota, on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Loyd was led to the Lord in a tent meeting by a horseback preacher at age 14 when he understood for the first time that he was deeply loved by God himself. He graduated from Rapid City High School in 1954 and following graduation entered the United States Army. He married Kathleen Marie Mahaffy on Dec. 26, 1956, so he could take her with him to Fort Meade, Maryland.

After completing his military obligations, they moved to Britton, South Dakota, where he shared ownership of a Mobile service station. He eventually sold the business and bought a farm near Langford. The entire family worked hard to turn it into a dairy farm. Loyd came to be known and well loved by his neighbors. While there he was an active member of Rose Hill Evangelical Church, willingly serving and caring where he could.

In 1985 Loyd and Kathy moved to Baker City where they lived and worked and were members of the Baker City Church of the Nazarene until moving to Watertown in 2017 and enjoying retirement closer to many of his children and joining The Bridge Church family.

Loyd was much loved by his children, many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom he devotedly loved right back. He was an avid storyteller and enjoyed playing games with everyone, especially Rummikub, 2500 and pinochle, where his mischievous sense of humor would often show through his big grin and twinkling eyes.

He was known for being devoted to his loved ones, deeply committed to his principles, and always genuine. He loved God deeply and his faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior was the most important thing in his life. He would talk to anyone about God given the chance. He would frequently say “I want to be walking along one step here, and the next in glory.” He got his wish on Feb. 10.

Loyd is survived by his dearly loved wife, Kathleen; their children, Wanda Brady of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Barbara (Rick) Klein, Marie (Gary) Suman, and Laura Lea (Dan) Relph of Watertown, Karen (Mel) Henry of Kimberly, Idaho, and Rob (Sarah) Williams of Baker City; his siblings, Laura Sparks of Mesa, Arizona, Floyd Williams of Baker City, Deloris Kruze of Watertown, Mary Jane Peffley of Ottowa, Kansas, Patrick Williams of Deer Lodge, Montana, Patsy Scotting of Canistota, South Dakota, Doug Williams of Yakima, Washington, and Paul Williams of Baker City. He is greatly missed by 17 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Cora; and four siblings, Johny, Marjie, Harold and Lorrain.

Pallbearers will be Logan Maness, Jesse Suman, Jordan Suman, Matt Klein, Nathan Henry and Jake Parsons.

Arrangements are by Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel, www.wightandcomes.com