OBITUARY

REBA GRACE (WALKER) WILLIAMS
Reba Grace Williams, 83, of Hot Springs, SD, formerly of Blunt, SD, died Sunday, December 30, 2007 at the Michael J. Fitzmaurice South Dakota Veteran's Home in Hot Springs.

Visitation will be from 5:00PM until 7:00PM on Thursday, January 3rd 2008 at McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00AM on Friday, January 4th 2008 in the auditorium of the South Dakota Veteran's Home, with Chaplains Loyd Nielson and Richard Bershon officiating.

A memorial has been established to benefit the South Dakota State Veteran's Home.

Reba was born on August 28th 1924 in Boaz, Alabama to Joseph and Ida (Fletcher) Walker. At age two months her family pioneered across to west Texas. She was the ninth of ten children and grew up and graduated from high school in Littlefield, TX. Reba married Arlice Junior "AJ" Williams on January 9th 1942 in Littlefield. In 1942 the couple moved to Los Angeles, CA, and became part of the war effort on the home front. In 1944, their first son, Arlice Waymon Williams was born. AJ served in World War II on the China-Burma-India front while Reba worked for Firestone Rubber Company. When AJ returned from the war, she continued to work for Firestone. After the war they returned to Littlefield, where their daughter Mary Carolyn Williams was born in 1949. Upon the formation of a Walker family partnership in farming, they spent three years dividing their time between Sully County, South Dakota and their home in Texas. In 1954, they established full time residency in Blunt, SD; however, they traveled to Albuquerque, NM, where they owned and operated a Texaco filling station for two winters. During the winter of 1959, while in Albuquerque, they welcomed their youngest, Timmie Joe Williams. They lived in Blunt and farmed in Hughes and Sully counties until 2000 when AJ and Reba moved to Hot Springs.

Reba was strong in her faith and for many years attended the church that her brothers had a part in building. Also, her father-in-law, Reverend Adney Jason Williams, pastored the Pierre Assembly of God Church. Reba's eleven grandchildren have fond memories of attending church with her and appreciate the example that she set for their spiritual growth. She will be remembered for her witty personality and fun loving nature.

Reba was a long time member and Past Matron of Rising Sun Chapter #86 of the Order of Eastern Star in Blunt. She was also a member of Legion Auxiliary and Blunt Lariat Club. Reba enjoyed gardening, studying her bible, sewing, cooking, singing and was proud of her musical family. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren often playing scrabble, dominoes, crazy eights and skipbo. She always made sure that the trampoline and the playhouse were ready for her rowdy bunch. Reba and AJ loved to dance the night away and spent many evenings square dancing with friends. AJ twirled his lifelong partner as she wore her fancy homemade dresses.

Reba (Walker) Williams is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Ida (Fletcher) Walker, six brothers, three sisters, two nephews and two nieces. Reba is survived by her husband of 66 years, AJ; children, Waymon (Ollie) Williams of Hot Springs; Tim (Michelle) Williams of Wright, WY; Carolyn Fouts of Fort Pierre, SD. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Colby, Tawna, Renessa, Clinton, Charis, Kara, Mich, Helen Jane, Jessica, Ajaye, Jordan and 19 great grandchildren with one on the way. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Reba's family would like to extend a special thank you to the entire staff at the Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home. Words cannot express our appreciation for the outstanding care that she has received over the years.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs. Written condolences can be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.