Marilyn Williams

Click to View Marilyn's Funeral Service Live Streamed

Marilyn Kay Williams, 79, of St. Lawrence, ended her journey on Friday, April 12, 2024, in Culver City, CA.  She was surrounded by “her boys” who consisted of her sons Corey, Eric, and Dustin, and her grandson, Josh.  

Marilyn’s funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 26, 2024, at the First Presbyterian Church, Miller, with Pastor Robert Brooks officiating. Visitation will begin one hour before the service.  Burial will be at the St. Lawrence Cemetery, at a later date.  A time for fellowship and lunch will follow the funeral service.  

For those who cannot join us in person, Marilyn’s service will be live-streamed on the funeral home’s website. (www.familyfuneralhome.net).

Marilyn was born in Miller, South Dakota on January 26, 1945, to Ervin and Melva (Carl) Davis.  She was the baby in a family of three brothers and one sister who grew up on a farm north of Miller.  She was spoiled by her father, loved by her mother, picked on by her brothers, and adored by her oldest sister.  She always embraced her roots and referred to herself as a “farm girl”.  

She attended grade school at Hand County School until it was time to take the big jump to the metropolis of Miller and attend Miller High School.  She lived with her sister and brother-in-law to shorten her commute.  They had been living in town during this time and this new living arrangement allowed her to spend cherished quality time with her beloved nieces and nephews.  

Upon graduation, Marilyn attended Dakota Wesleyan University.  She made the DWU track team and received an academic scholarship that helped her pay for her tuition.  Never afraid of hard work, she covered the remaining expenses of school by working in the cafeteria washing dishes.  She always looked back on her time at DWU fondly and with pride.

When she received her degree, her father rewarded the first Davis to achieve such an honor by purchasing her a brand new 1968 Chevy Camaro.  It was one of her most prized possessions until she got married and had kids.  Always putting others' needs before her own, she sold it to get a vehicle more suited to her burgeoning family.  

She married Ronald Williams on June 22, 1968.  With Marilyn’s family having relocated to St. Lawrence after retiring, she and Ron chose to make it their home as well.  Eventually, they had their first son, Corey and two years later Eric would follow with Dustin being the final addition to the family five years later. 

On top of raising three boys, Marilyn taught kindergarten for 44 years, almost exclusively at Miller Elementary with stops in Wagner and St. Lawrence.  She touched many kids' lives throughout her tenure, many of whom remembered her even after they left her class.  She took that responsibility very seriously and enjoyed every minute of her job.  Many a Miller student will remember her famed Letter People who taught them their alphabet with the help of this fun and memorable approach.     

Upon retirement, Marilyn enjoyed traveling with “her boys” and her friends.  She made it to Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Nevada, Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Wyoming, Colorado, California, Washington, Oregon, D.C., London, and Paris.  Her most prized trips, however, would be one to Hawaii, one to Sequoia National Park to “drive through a tree”, both allowing her to accomplish lifelong dreams and one to Memphis to visit Graceland.  Her love of Elvis began as a teenager and stuck with her for the rest of her days.  She always made new friends on these trips as she was never afraid to talk to anyone.  She viewed each person she met as if they were as approachable and as nice as she was.

When Marilyn wasn’t traveling, she loved spending time with family, especially her grandson Josh. They enjoyed doing things around her house, bowling, and going to movies.  When her family would get together, they loved to see her silly side.  She would light up a room with her subtle but potent brand of humor.

Marilyn was a hard worker and a genuinely good person.  She was a kind, gentle soul who would do almost anything for anyone.  She set a high bar for her family.

Those members of her family left to cherish her memory are her three sons: Corey, Eric (Connie), and Dustin (Jannet); one grandson: Joshua (Kaitlyn); and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and siblings: Marion (Marvin) Becker, Wilbur Davis, Sam Davis, and Jim (Sharon) Davis. 

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Marilyn’s arrangements.