Roy Williams

Roy John Williams was born on July 5, 1918 in Appleton, Wisconsin to John and Wilhelmina ?Winnie? (Giesbers) Williams. In 1934, Roy went to work for Western Union in Minneapolis as a delivery boy and was paid 16 cents an hour. Roy joined the National Guard at Fort McCoy from 1939 to 1940 and was in the machine gun unit. He later moved to California and worked for Soule Steel as a drafter. Roy was in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1946 and was the first cadet to fly solo in under seven hours. From 1946 to 1949 he was a purser in the U.S. Maritime Service and was awarded the American Service Medal, WWII Victory Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. In 1948, he went to work as a pharmaceutical representative with McNeil Laboratories in Minneapolis and E.R. Squibb and Sons. Roy was married to Arlene Stolz in 1950 and to this union the couple was blessed with five children, Dianne, Tom, Deborah, Mike, and Jim. In 1981, Roy was united in marriage to Helen (Amble) Sherratt. Roy retired that same year and they moved to Fergus Falls and later moved to Alexandria. Roy loved people and had a great sense of humor. He loved to play jokes and be the life of the party. He will be dearly missed. Roy died on Sunday, November 14, 2010 at Peaceful Bliss in Alexandria at the age of 92. He is survived by his loving wife, Helen of Alexandria; daughter, Dianne (Tim) Williams of Bloomington; Tom Williams of Dickinson, ND, Mike (Valerie) Williams of Moorestown, NJ, and Jim (Faith) Williams of Tulsa, OK; 8 grandchildren, Jennifer (Mike) Mitchell, Corey Mueller, Cassandra, Penelope, and Veronica Armstead-Williams, Charity, Hope and James Williams; and several nieces and nephews. Roy is preceded in death by his parents, John and Winnie; daughter, Deborah; and two sisters, Verna and Marjorie. A memorial service will be held on Friday, November 19, 2010 at 1:00 with visitation at noon at the First Congregational U.C.C. in Alexandria with Reverend Scott Keehn officiating. Music will be provided by organist, Diane Alveshere and soloist, Mike Williams. Internment will be held at a later date at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.