Stephen Williams, 71, of Grant, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at Greater Regional Health in Creston, Iowa.
Stephen Robert was born to Wilbur Robert and Lorraine Lucille (Thomas) Williams on May 10, 1953 in Red Oak, Iowa. During his early years, his family lived in Hastings, Iowa. When Stephen was 8 years old, the family relocated to the Grant, Iowa area where his father bought a farm and ran a dairy and crop operation. Growing up on the dairy farm sparked a fascination with cows that he carried always.
He graduated from Nebraska Christian High School, Central City, Nebraska in 1971, where he played football, basketball and enjoyed singing in their musical group, the Teen Tones. Stephen completed three years of college at Grand Rapids School of the Bible and Music earning a diploma in Christian Education. He was deeply involved in the music program, singing in their traveling men’s group, The Ambassadors. He also had the honor of serving as president of the student body his senior year. He returned to the family farm in 1975 to take over the dairy operation, freeing up his father to focus on the crops. In the early 1980’s, Stephen moved to Denver, Colorado where he returned to college and received a business degree. He held several jobs through his 30 years in Denver using his business and administration skills until returning to Iowa to care for his mother in 2014.
Stephen always had a passion for music and played several instruments including the piano, baritone, tuba, trumpet and saxophone. He was always ready to use his musical talent to play piano and sing for the McCarroll Bible Church in Denver and the Massena Baptist Church where he was a long time member. As a young adult he was very active in the Salt Cellar in Atlantic and their traveling music performance group “The Now Disciples” where he developed many lifelong friendships.
Stephen was always cheerful. He made friends easily and was a friend to everyone—no matter their status in life. People were important to Stephe—he learned that from his mother. He had a great smile and wonderful sense of humor, which balanced well with his tender heart and generous spirit. Perhaps his greatest accomplishments will never be publicly well known. Stephen was a faithful follower of Jesus and he attributed anything he did well to his faith in Jesus Christ. Many may not be aware of his generous spirit and how he quietly and continuously poured his heart and life into others—especially teenagers.
Stephen was active in outdoors groups from Garden Club to attending the Denver Western Stock Shows annually for many decades. He loved the mountains! When he returned to Iowa, he loved attending his grand-nieces’ and nephews’ school and extracurricular activities.
Stephen is survived by his brother, Lee (Jeanie) Williams of Atlantic, Iowa; sisters: Jorene Williams of Kalispell, Montana and Sheri (Ralph) Lindblad of Fountain Inn, South Carolina; nephews: Chad (Karen) Williams of Atlantic, Brent (Amy) Williams of Polk City, Iowa, Robert (Jewel) Lindblad of Star Tex, South Carolina, Tim (Liz) Lindblad of Taylors, South Carolina, Mark Lindblad of Missoula, Montana; nieces: Heather (Dean) Whyte of Long Lake, Minnesota, Loreana (Josh) Tuttle of Beaverton, Oregon, Esther (Tom) Martin of Bethel, Connecticut; 25 great-nieces and -nephews; 3 great-great-nieces and -nephews; and many beloved friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur and Lorraine Williams and nephew, David Ralph Lindblad.
Burial will be held at 12:00 p.m. in Grant Cemetery on Friday, June 21st. Visitation will be available at 2:00 p.m., the same day, just prior to a Celebration of Life Memorial Service at 3:00 p.m., at the Massena Baptist Church with Pastor Josh Heisterkamp, presiding. There will be a light lunch following the service.
The Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be livestreamed a few minutes before the service begins, on the Massena Baptist Church YouTube channel. It will also available for viewing on-line at the Roland Funeral Service website at www.rolandfuneralservice.com by Monday afternoon, June 24th. A tribute slideshow will be available for viewing on the Roland Funeral Service website at www.rolandfuneralservice.com .
Memorials may be designated to the Massena Baptist Church..
