Family, Friends, and Colleagues celebrate the life of Owen Rhys Williams of Amery, Wisconsin, who passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, August 17th, at the age of 77. During his lifetime, Owen positively touched countless lives as a husband, father, grandfather, friend, legal counselor, professional colleague, mentor, military serviceman, parishioner, business partner, sponsor, fellow traveler, and devoted friend.
Born in Elmhurst, IL, on April 24th, 1938, to parents Athol Gothard Williams and Marie Frances Zburin Griffin, he attended public school in the Chicago area until his mid-teens. Following the death of his father, he and his mother moved to New Zealand, his father's homeland. His school years in New Zealand had a great impact on his development and perspective as an adult. Following his early education, he worked as a ranch hand in Wyoming, as a mail clerk in Chicago, and as a fireman for the Illinois Central Railroad, which began his life-long love affair with trains. Owen then served a three year enlistment in the Army (discharged honorably). The following ten years, he married his first wife Violet and became a father to Rhys. He worked either full- or part-time on the railroad, while completing degrees from both Olivet Nazarine College and the University of Illinois College of Law. He would remain in the legal profession for the next 45 years; on the day he died he was scheduled for a court appearance. During his first two years of legal practice in Florida, Owen met and married his second wife Linda and became a father to Melissa. The family moved to Hudson, Wisconsin where he was elected District Attorney for St. Croix County and also became a father to Jessica. Three years later he moved to Amery and joined private practice, both with partners and at times as solo practicioner. His law practice flourished, and he successfully tried several high profile cases of national significance. Most recently his law partner was Mr. Nicholas Davis, with whom he had formed the Law Firm of Williams and Davis. Owen was always motivated more by service to his clients than by any measure of financial gain. During his years of legal practice he also managed to serve a full twenty year career in the Wisconsin Army National Guard, where he served the country at home and abroad, developed deep friendships, mentored his junior officers and staff, and significantly built-up the capabilities of the state's JAG corps (Judge Advocate General).
Owen was generous to a fault, exceptionally intelligent, loved an off-color joke, and richly enjoyed the company of others. He reveled in his eccentricity, had mastered the art of playful sarcasm, read books ravenously, and could talk for hours about trains, politics, the U.S. Civil War, and current events. In his lifetime he was variously a hunter, farmer, world traveler, army officer, mechanic, and a devotee of flea markets or junk yards anywhere, anytime. He also never met an RV or old, beaten up camper that he could refuse, or anything with a diesel engine. If you were his friend, you knew the true definition of loyalty. Above all, he was a devoted husband of 31 years to Linda and a committed father to Jessica, Melissa, and Rhys, and a colorful grandpa to all six of his grandchildren.
Owen was pre-deceased by his sister Peg Larson and brother Jim Williams. He leaves behind his son Rhys L. Williams, daughter-in-law Lorna Sohn Williams, grandson Pryce, and granddaughter Amelia, all of Delray Beach, FL; his daughter Melissa Anglin, son-in-law Colin Anglin, granddaughter Miram, and grandson Ian, all of Madison, WI; and his daughter Jessica Dvorak, son-in-law Mark Dvorak, granddaughter Giselle, and granddaughter Angelina, all of Lake Forest, IL. He was pre-deceased by his beloved wife Linda Lillie Williams, whom he now joins in eternal rest.
Visitation will be held on Friday, 8/21/2015, from 4pm to 8pm CT at Williamson-White Funeral Home, 222 Harriman Avenue North, Amery, Wisconsin (715) 268-7111. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, 8/22/2015, at 11am CT, also at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1050 Keller Avenue North, Amery, Wisconsin, 54001 (715) 268-7717, and lunch will follow. Those wishing to send flowers may contact "Stems from the Heart Floral and Gift" at (715) 268-9000 http://www.stemsfromtheheart.com/. Those wishing to make a charitable donation in lieu of flowers may donate to the charity of their choice, in memory of Owen R. Williams. To view an online guest book and a video tribute please visit www.williamsonwhite.com Arrangements were entrusted to the Williamson~White Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Amery, WI.