Funeral Mass for Laurs James Williams, Dakotah name Hin-Han-Hoksina "Owl Boy", and later became A-ki-ci-ta Na-wi-cha-zi, " He Rescued his Soldiers", 78 of Veblen, SD will be held on Monday, September 6, 2010 at 11:00 AM at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Sisseton, South Dakota with Rev. Fr. Tony Dumer and Rev. Fr. Pat Sullivan celebrants.
Pallbearers will be Floyd "Buck" Jourdain, Greg A. McDermitt, Bob T. Thunder, Todd M. O'Riley, Larry E. Rich, Clyde "Joe" Williams, Darrell D. White, David Flute, and David Seaboy.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Laurs Bryan J. Williams, Arik V. Williams, Joseph S. Williams, Andrew J. Williams, Nickolas G. Williams, Lukas S. Williams, Kyle D. Williams, William M. Richey, Marvin C. Yellow, Terry E. Adams, Richard D. White, Daniel "Butch" Williams, Kenneth Siyaka, Jeff Block, Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota, Red Lake Nation, S.W.O. Law Enforcement, Marshall County Law Enforcement, Sisseton Wahpeton Veterans organizations, Sisseton American Legion, and South Dakota Sheriffs Association. Organists will be Billy Kohl and Kay Bursheim with special music by Butch Felix. Interment will be at St. Matthew's Catholic Cemetery, Veblen, SD with military Rites by USAF Ellsworth Air Force Base, Sisseton Wahpeton Vietnam Veterans, Desert Storm Sandmen, Otto-Quande-Renville American Legion Post #50, Fort Sisseton VFW Post #3342, Eddie Robertson American Legion Post #76, Woodrow Wilson Keeble American Legion Post #314, Kelley-Porter American Legion Post #70, and ND ARNG Honor Guard.
There will be a Prayer Service on Friday, September 03, 2010 at 7:30 PM at St. Catherine's Hall, Sisseton, SD, and a Wake Service on Saturday, September 04, 2010 at 7:00 PM, followed by an all night Wake on Sunday, September 05, 2010 at St. Catherine's Hall. Laurs James Williams was born on June 29, 1932 rural Veblen, SD to Daniel and Rebecca (DeMarrias) Williams. He attended school at North Bryant Country School, Tekawitha, Sisseton, SD, and Stephan Mission School, Fort Thompson, SD.
Laurs enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1950 and served until 1954. He earned the Korean Defense Service, United Nations Korean Service, National Defense Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.
Laurs was united in marriage to Juliana C. Richey on May 6, 1967. They have eight beautiful children, along with grand children and great grand-children.
Laurs attended college in Tennessee and the University of Minnesota. He was successful with his Antique Classic Auto Restoration, Farm and Custom Combine, and Williams Lawn Service businesses. He worked for companies such as Union Pacific Railroad, government agencies such as Administrator for the Flandreau Indian School, Director Economic Development for NESDCAP and Lake Traverse Councilman for the Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Tribe.
Laurs is survived by his wife Julie of Veblen, SD, eight children, Karen DeHaro of LeMesa CA, twins, Rona K. Williams of Rosholt, SD, Donna L. Williams of Grand Forks, ND, Laurs Bryan J. Williams, of Veblen SD, Stephanie J. Williams of New Effington, SD, Karla E. Williams of Waubay, SD, Lori J. Williams-McDermitt of Edina, MN and Arik V. Williams of Veblen, SD; three brothers, Clyde "Joe" Williams of Rosholt, SD, Frank Williams of Waubay, SD, and Charles Williams of Agency Village, SD; two sisters, Tina Williams of New Effington, SD, and Sara Siyaka of St. Paul, MN; twenty grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Laurs was preceded in death by his parents Dan and Rebecca Williams, two infant brothers, Dennis and Jerald, and three sisters, infant Rosalie, Zelma, and Celia.