James M. Williams, age 86, died Tuesday, November 18, 2008, at the United Retirement Center in Brookings, South Dakota.  Committal services will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, November 22, 2008, at Woodlawn Cemetery in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

James Marion Williams was born August 3, 1922, in Sac County, Iowa, to Jess M. and Ida E. (Sauther) Williams.  He graduated from high school in Aurelia, Iowa, and served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Asia-Pacific Theater.  He worked for a building restoration company in Sioux Falls, and he was also employed in sales.

James married Evelyn Buck, who died October 28, 1982.  He was also preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Harry Williams and Melvin Williams.

Survivors include his daughter, Margaret (Robert) Doescher, of Sioux Falls; four grandchildren:  Robin (Mike) Burke of Sparta, Illinois, LeAnne (Kevin) Klemme of Sioux Falls, Mark (Jennifer) Doescher of Sioux Falls, and Sarah (Ben) Swan of Sioux Falls; seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Beulah Crocker, of Cherokee, Iowa; and a special friend, Lucile Grell, of Sioux City, Iowa.