James Williams, 72 - July 30, 2011

James “Jim” F. Williams, 72, of Gothenburg died Saturday, July 30, 2011, at his home following a courageous battle with cancer.
Memorial services will be conducted at the First United Methodist Church on Thursday, Aug. 4, at 11 a.m. with Dr. Jeff Thurman officiating. Inurnment will take place at a later date at the Gothenburg Cemetery.
Register book will be available for signing on Wednesday, Aug. 3, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel of Gothenburg, where arrangements have been placed.
Williams was born July 6, 1939, at Burwell to Howard and Helen (Lybarger) Williams.
He grew up at Sargent where he graduated from Sargent High School in 1958. Following high school, he entered the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Hanover Air Force Base in Hanover, MA, from 1958 until 1962.
On July 6, 1960, he married Judy Grim at Sargent. To this union, two children were born.
Williams was employed as a department manager for several Coop divisions, working in Upland, Minden, North Platte, Maywood, Farnam, and finally settling in Gothenburg in 1969.
He was a member of the American Legion, several gun clubs and a lifetime member of the NRA. He was also a huge Nebraska Husker football fan and loved competing in shooting competitions, according to family members. He also enjoyed landscaping his yard, and his children were very special to him.
Williams was preceded in death by: his father, Howard Williams; his father and mother-in-law, Vandell and Emma Lou Grim.
Survivors include: his wife, Judy Williams of Gothenburg; a son, Scott Williams of Brady; a daughter, Sheila (Greg) Sales of Kearney; his mother, Helen Davidson of Cozad; two brothers—Fritz (Pat) Williams of Montague, MA, and Bob (Toni) Williams of Loomis; four brothers-in-law—Dan (Sandy) Grim of Kearney, Don (Pat) Grim of Central City, Brent (Melody) Grim of St. Libory, and Brad (Marsha) Grim of Grand Island; two sisters-in-law—LouWana (Curly) Mills of Adams, and Iris (Greg) Hofling of Sioux City, IA.
Memorials are suggested to the Central Plains Hospice, P.O. Box 108, Cozad, NE 69130.