Funeral Service for Edward Robert Williams Jr., Wawokiye Sa "He who always helps" age 78 of Agency Village, SD will be held on Monday, October 22, 2012 at 10:00 AM at St. Catherine's Hall, Sisseton, SD with Fr. Les Campbell officiating. Pianist will be Billy Kohl, with special music by Butch Felix. Pallbearers will be Arnold Williams, Jack Barse, Justin Barse, Austin Barse, William Felix Jr., Bailyn Bursheim, Sidney Williams, Ross Torgeson, Rich Boyd, Larry Boyd, Jacob Boyd, TJ Redwing, Floyd Kirk Jr. & Mel Huff. Honorary Pallbearers will be Orsen Bernard, Melvin Renville, Charlie Renville, Tony Barker, Elden Wanna, Jake Demarrias, Tim Parker, Elden Lawrence, Bill Vellenga, Vine Marks and His girl's softball team and all softball players. Interment will be in the Goodwill Presbyterian Cemetery, Agency Village, SD with Military Rites by the Vietnam Veterans Kit Fox Society. Wake Services will be held at St. Catherine's Hall on Saturday and Sunday at 7:00 P.M. Edward R. Williams Jr., Wawokiye Sa, He who always helps, was born on October 30, 1933 at Sisseton, SD to Edward and Kaziah (Flute) Williams Sr. Edward attended country school in Agency Village. He graduated from Flandreau Indian School in 1951. Edward joined the U.S. Army on September 1, 1953 and retired on November 30, 1973. He served as a Medic during his tour of duty. He received the National Defense Service medal (1OLC), Good Conduct Medal (4th award), Air Medal (10th award), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Vietnam), and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm. Edward married Yvonne R. Wanna on December 3, 1965 in Denver, Co. He moved his family to Agency Village. After his retirement from the Military Edward worked at Dakota Sioux, Dakota Magic, Tribal Police, C.H.R, and served on Tribal Council from 1985 to 1986. He drove school bus for Tiospa Zina, Sisseton, and Head Start. Edward retired in 2009 due to health issues. Edward's hobbies were playing and coaching softball (Men & Women). He was also an Umpire and Referee. Edward enjoyed golf, bowling, playing bingo and going to the casino. He was a devoted Tiospa Zina and Greenbay Packer Fan. Edward passed away on October 18, 2012 at his home in Agency Village with his wife, Yvonne, and grandson, Arnold, by his side.
Edward is survived by his wife, Yvonne; one daughter Mona Williams; one son Louis Williams of Sisseton, SD; four adopted children, Lisa Redwing, Gail Williams, Karen Williams of Sisseton, SD and Bobby Williams of Worthing, SD; one sister, Naomi Parker of Agency Village, SD; 29 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild, Zane Barse; numerous nieces and nephews. He also raised one grandchild Ariel Willams and one great grandchild Jurae Renville.
Edward was preceded in death by his parents Edward & Kaziah (Flute) Williams Sr., five brothers, Homer, Kenneth, Louie, John and Ed Barker; six sisters, Martha, Rosalie, Doris, Lucille, Ruth, and Dorothy; one adopted daughter Lola Wanna, and a great grandson Jalen Barse.