David "Dave" Lee Williams

David Lee Williams was born on July 4th, 1941, to Robert V. and Lily Mae Williams at Grandma Caspari’s home in Columbus, Kansas, and returned to the loving arms of God on October 3rd, 2022. Dave attended Pawnee City High School and enjoyed football, working on Lou Haverkamp’s Henry J, and sneaking into the swimming pool after hours. In 1957, he walked Betsy Herries home from the Prom, and they dated throughout high school, graduating in 1959. The whirlwind romance continued and on July 22nd, 1960, they were secretly wed in Council Bluffs, Iowa, just after Dave entered the military. Dave served in the Air Force eight years with his family. He was stationed in Delaware, Greenland, and New Mexico, and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant.

After returning to Pawnee City in 1968, Dave quickly became a fixture in the community. Together with his brother-in-law Paul Bennett, he worked for his dad Bob at Williams Chevrolet, and he and Paul bought and co-owned the dealership and implement after Bob retired. After the dealership closed, he worked at the hospital until his retirement. But he found his true calling in life as a blackjack dealer at the casino. He learned his construction skills from his dad and rebuilt the old house at 942 G Street several times over. Dave loved serving the community. He was an EMT and, together with his dad, started the Pawnee County Ambulance service. He provided training to make sure there were always enough EMTs for the community. Dave was the first president of the Pawnee City Jaycees, was the president of the Chamber of Commerce several times, and served on the school board for eight years, where he was also president. He was a member of both the American Legion and Masons for over 50 years. Dad was a lifelong member of the Christian Church (DOC) and served in various leadership roles. He enjoyed dancing, woodworking, golf, tennis, and gambling (a little). 

Dad loved his family. He showed this throughout his life, from rushing home from Greenland for the birth of a child, to the mostly endless patience he demonstrated with his sons, to the care of his wonderful daughter Susie. He relished the time he could spend with his grandchildren. He and mom looked forward to babysitting and would travel great distances to watch them grow up. He especially enjoyed endless games of pitch, a few of which he would occasionally let others win. He was so happy to welcome his three great grandchildren into the world. 

When he suffered a stroke in 2009, we were proud of how hard he worked to remain active with our very busy family. Even as his health failed, he and Mom continued to gather the family at their house and would drive hours so we could be together.

Dave is loved and will be missed by Betsy, his wife of 62 years, his sister Mary (Paul) Bennett, children Bob (Donette), Chris (Amy) and Susie Williams, grandchildren Taylor Medlock, Jared (Chelsea) Williams, Megan (Kyle) Miller, Paige Williams, Jonathon Williams, and great grandchildren Breanna and Robert Medlock, and Leo Miller. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert, sister Betty June, sister Jeannie and brother-in-law Doyne Blount.

Celebration of Life Services: 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 15, 2022 at the First Christian Church/First Presbyterian Church, Pawnee City, Nebraska.  Officiating Reverend Ken Tubbesing. Visitation on Friday, October 14, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m. at Wherry Mortuary, 919 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska.  The service will also be live-streamed on the Wherry Mortuary/Wherry Monument Facebook page for those who are unable to attend. Inurnment at the Pawnee City Cemetery, Pawnee City, Nebraska.  Memorials to Pawnee County Medical Foundation. Military Honors provided by the United States Air Force Honor Guard and the Pawnee City American Legion Post #168 and Masonic Rites by Pawnee Lodge #23 A.F & A.M.

Services entrusted to Wherry Mortuary, 919 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska

Online condolences may be left at www.wherrymortuary.com.

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