Dennis (Dennie) Williams

Dennis R. Williams was born June 24, 1948, at the family home in Belvidere, Thayer County, Nebraska, the fifth and youngest child of Lawrence Ray and Pauline Ruth Corliss Williams. He joined siblings Jacqueline (Jackie) Jean, Ronald Dean, Douglas Allen, and Janice Kay. Dennis grew up in the Belvidere community and walked a block to attend the Belvidere Public School. He attended the Belvidere Christian Church and was baptized on February 28, 1960 by Dallas Shafer, Minister. Dennie enjoyed life with good humor, kindness, compassion. He was very soft-hearted and not afraid to let his emotions show. He is remembered by his family and friends for his big smile, from the time he was a little boy to the time he passed away. He grew up in the shadow of his older brothers and sisters who gave him lots of attention in his youth and lots of advice in his growing up years Dennie was only twelve years old when he got his first job, working for Hugh Young, a farmer who was also a friend and neighbor. He loved to work with Hugh and he got paid! Later on, during high school and summer vacations he worked at the family business, Williams Drilling Co. Dennis attended the Belvidere School through eighth grade. The Belvidere High School’s last graduation was in 1958, so eighth grade students could go wherever they wanted for their high school education. Dennis followed in the footsteps of his sister, Jan, and attended Hebron High School and graduated with the Class of 1966. He was a proud member of the Hebron Bears football and wrestling team. After graduating from high school, Dennis attended Fairbury Junior College for two years, graduating in 1968. He then made the decision to enlist in the United States Air Force to serve his country. He and Dennis Degenhardt, his good friend and high school classmate, enlisted together and reported for basic training together at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. After basic training, he was assigned to several different training schools. Dennis had been introduced to the love of his life, Georgianne L. Evans, by her brother, Michael Evans, when he and Dennis worked together at Williams Drilling. After completing his basic training, he returned to Nebraska before continuing with his air force training. He came home to marry his sweetheart. Dennis and Georgianne were married on July 12, 1969 at the First Methodist Church in Belleville, Republic County, Kansas. The occasion was celebrated with friends and family and all present remember it as being a very hot summer day. The church air conditioner had quit working earlier in the day. Following their marriage, they traveled together to Dennis’ final training classes at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado, where he received training in air intelligence. He graduated as an Intelligence Operations Specialist and In December, 1969, he was assigned to the 3 ^rd TAC Fighter Wing at Bien Hoa Air Base, at Dong Hai, Republic of Viet Nam. An Intelligence Operations Specialist was expected to review all air reconnaissance photos and brief the pilots on ongoing missions. While at Bien Hoa AB they frequently came under enemy mortar and rocket fire and in one case a fellow Operations Specialist was injured. Dennie assumed his duties as well as his own to continue support for the fighter wing and their missions. Before Dennis left Viet Nam to return home to his family in United States, the crews of the fighter wing provided a treat and recognition for his service, by giving him a ride in a fighter jet and a picture, autographed by the crew members. He was recognized for his "acceptance of responsibility in the absence of his supervisors and repeatedly instilled confidence for his judgments among the crew members of the 3 ^rd ." This was their way to recognize his special efforts in organizing the material as part of the team. He was very proud of this recognition by the crews. He often said it was this experience that planted seeds for him to eventually consider taking flying lessons from Dean Osher at the Hebron Airport when he returned to Nebraska. He is mentioned in the book, Those Who Flew, published by the Thayer County Historical Society. The photograph provided a great opportunity for Dennis to talk about his service to his country and how special it was to him to have served with these brave crew members! Georgianne returned to Kansas to live with her mother, Elaine Evans, in Belleville, Kansas, during Dennis’ time of service in Viet Nam. Their daughter, Heather, was born there before he returned. After he completed his tour of duty, he returned to Belleville to be reunited with Georgianne and to get acquainted with his little baby daughter. The newly reunited family then packed their belongings into a trailer to report to Nellis Air Force Base near Las Vegas, Nevada, where they made their home until Dennis was discharged in 1972. He and Georgianne then returned to Thayer County to join his parents and his brother, Ron, in the family business, Williams Drilling Co., located at Belvidere, Nebraska. Dennis and Georgianne purchased a small home in Hebron, Nebraska, located at 11th & Olive. This is where they started being "fixer-uppers". They were living in this house when their second child, Travis, was born. They also fixed up another house in Hebron at 5 ^th & Duffield which became their family home and where their two children grew up. The family was very involved in the community while living in Hebron. They attended the Hebron Christian Church where Dennis and Georgianne sang in the choir. They later moved their membership to Hebron Methodist Church where Dennis, Georgianne and Heather sang in the choir. Dennis was an active member of the Hebron Lion’s Club and served as president in 1989-90. He was a lifetime member of American Legion Post #180 and the V. F. W. He served as part of the Honor Guard for the American Legion on Memorial Day, 4 ^th of July parades and at military funerals. He was also a member of the Nebraska Well Driller’s Association and attended many annual conventions with his father, Lawrence, and brother, Ron. Dennis and Georgianne made a decision to opt out of Williams Drilling Co. in 1990. They relocated to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he joined the sales team of Winnelson, a plumbing supply company. While living in Lincoln, they became "fixer-uppers" again, purchasing a big two story home on Sumner in the South Bottoms Neighborhood. In 1994, they made the decision to move to Utah, to be nearer to their children, who had located there. Dennis was still with Winnelson, and later Standard Plumbing Co. Dennis left for Utah ahead of Georgianne, but they eventually bought a two story Victorian home in Lehi, Utah, which needed some fixing up, which is what Georgianne wanted, so they became "fixer-uppers" once again. They were a good team in this department and perhaps this explains why Dennis’ tools were very important to him when it came time to move from Utah. They made their home in this house in Lehi until 2012, when they moved to the Indianapolis, Indiana area, due to declining health, to be nearer to their children, Heather and Travis, and their families. When in Utah, Dennie and Georgianne were very active in the The Way, an International Fellowship Ministries doing outreach and community ministries. Gene Short, Pastor, and Dennie had a special friendship working together. They celebrated their 35 ^th wedding anniversary during the church services there in 2004. Dennie and Georgianne enjoyed doing things together, be it gardening, home improvement projects, sightseeing or attending special family events. They especially enjoyed watching grandson, Kelby’s, power soccer games and last December were able to attend the wedding of their granddaughter, Marissa, when she was married to David West. Their love for each other was always visible to those around them and they were very proud of all of their children and grandchildren. Dennis’ survivors are his wife of 47 years, Georgianne; daughter, Heather (Daryl) Smith of Fishers, IN; son Travis Williams and fiancée, Crystal Kinkead Whicker, of Sheridan, IN; grandchildren, Marissa (David) West and Kelby Smith, all of Fishers, IN; Trevor Williams of Dayton, OH; Haley and Evan Williams of Sheridan, IN; siblings, Jackie (Kent) Williamson, Belvidere, NE; Ron Williams, Hebron, NE; Doug (Dee) Williams, Earlysville, VA and Jan (Dick) Carr, Dallas, TX; brother-in-laws Michael (Marilyn) Evans, Cawker City, KS, and Dennis (Sherry) Evans, Lincoln, NE along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Pauline; mother-in-law, Elaine Evans; sister-in-law, Marcia Virgin Williams; nephew, Jay Dean Williamson and niece, Julie Ann Williamson.

Celebration of Life Services to be held on Saturday, May 28, at 11:00 A.M. at the Belvidere United Church of Christ, with Pastor Kim Dunker officiating. Inurnment will be at the Belvidere rural Cemetery with Military Honors by American Legion Saxton Post #180. Family requests that you dress in bright colors and bring a big smile of great memories. We also request no flowers, no sadness, just bring your love.