James Frederick Williams, 87, of Grand Rapids, MN died Saturday, November 7, 2015 at Majestic Pines Assisted Living, Grand Rapids, MN. He was born in 1928 to James Henry and Thelma Williams, and was raised in Nashwauk, MN.
He graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a business degree in 1955. On November 26, 1955 Jim married Joan Frances Fish. They have resided and raised their family in Grand Rapids for the past 60 years.
A veteran of the United States Air Force, Jim piloted F-86 Sabre jets initially as a member of the first jet fighter squadron to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, and later as a member of the USAF Aerobatic team while stationed in Northern Africa.
His two great passions in life were his family and the outdoors, with a primary focus on shooting sports. An avid duck hunter, Jim was a 50 year member of the Wabigama Club on Bowstring Lake. His competitive trap shooting successes started in 1945, with a National Sub Junior Championship. Later in life, Jim's significant accomplishments in State, Regional, and National sporting clays championships led to his 2007 induction into the Minnesota State Sporting Clays Hall of Fame. His four grandchildren were all very special to him, and he instilled in them great values and the encouragement to follow their own passions to the fullest.
He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant daughter Elizabeth Ann Williams.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of nearly 60 years, Joan; sister Nancy Kriner; children: James and Martha (Rothstein) Williams, and Mary J. (Williams) Maragos; and grandchildren: James, Abby, and Thomas, and McKenzie.
He graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a business degree in 1955. On November 26, 1955 Jim married Joan Frances Fish. They have resided and raised their family in Grand Rapids for the past 60 years.
A veteran of the United States Air Force, Jim piloted F-86 Sabre jets initially as a member of the first jet fighter squadron to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, and later as a member of the USAF Aerobatic team while stationed in Northern Africa.
His two great passions in life were his family and the outdoors, with a primary focus on shooting sports. An avid duck hunter, Jim was a 50 year member of the Wabigama Club on Bowstring Lake. His competitive trap shooting successes started in 1945, with a National Sub Junior Championship. Later in life, Jim's significant accomplishments in State, Regional, and National sporting clays championships led to his 2007 induction into the Minnesota State Sporting Clays Hall of Fame. His four grandchildren were all very special to him, and he instilled in them great values and the encouragement to follow their own passions to the fullest.
He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant daughter Elizabeth Ann Williams.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of nearly 60 years, Joan; sister Nancy Kriner; children: James and Martha (Rothstein) Williams, and Mary J. (Williams) Maragos; and grandchildren: James, Abby, and Thomas, and McKenzie.
James Frederick Williams, 87, of Grand Rapids, MN died Saturday, November 7, 2015 at Majestic Pines Assisted Living, Grand Rapids, MN. He was born in 1928 to James Henry and Thelma Williams, and was raised in Nashwauk, MN.
He graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a business degree in 1955. On November 26, 1955 Jim married Joan Frances Fish. They have resided and raised their family in Grand Rapids for the past 60 years.
A veteran of the United States Air Force, Jim piloted F-86 Sabre jets initially as a member of the first jet fighter squadron to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, and later as a member of the USAF Aerobatic team while stationed in Northern Africa.
His two great passions in life were his family and the outdoors, with a primary focus on shooting sports. An avid duck hunter, Jim was a 50 year member of the Wabigama Club on Bowstring Lake. His competitive trap shooting successes started in 1945, with a National Sub Junior Championship. Later in life, Jim's significant accomplishments in State, Regional, and National sporting clays championships led to his 2007 induction into the Minnesota State Sporting Clays Hall of Fame. His four grandchildren were all very special to him, and he instilled in them great values and the encouragement to follow their own passions to the fullest.
He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant daughter Elizabeth Ann Williams.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of nearly 60 years, Joan; sister Nancy Kriner; children: James and Martha (Rothstein) Williams, and Mary J. (Williams) Maragos; and grandchildren: James, Abby, and Thomas, and McKenzie.
He graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a business degree in 1955. On November 26, 1955 Jim married Joan Frances Fish. They have resided and raised their family in Grand Rapids for the past 60 years.
A veteran of the United States Air Force, Jim piloted F-86 Sabre jets initially as a member of the first jet fighter squadron to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, and later as a member of the USAF Aerobatic team while stationed in Northern Africa.
His two great passions in life were his family and the outdoors, with a primary focus on shooting sports. An avid duck hunter, Jim was a 50 year member of the Wabigama Club on Bowstring Lake. His competitive trap shooting successes started in 1945, with a National Sub Junior Championship. Later in life, Jim's significant accomplishments in State, Regional, and National sporting clays championships led to his 2007 induction into the Minnesota State Sporting Clays Hall of Fame. His four grandchildren were all very special to him, and he instilled in them great values and the encouragement to follow their own passions to the fullest.
He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant daughter Elizabeth Ann Williams.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of nearly 60 years, Joan; sister Nancy Kriner; children: James and Martha (Rothstein) Williams, and Mary J. (Williams) Maragos; and grandchildren: James, Abby, and Thomas, and McKenzie.
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