WILLIAMS LEONARD B

LTC Leonard B. Williams was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 03/06/2006 at the age of 87.8
Mitchell, SD
Flight Class 60-6Q
Date of Birth 05/06/1918
Served in the U.S. Army
This information was provided by SSN search Feb 2011

More detail on this person: Leonard B. Bud Williams Leonard B. Bud Williams, age 87, of Mitchell, died March 6, 2006 at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Saturday at the Congregational UCC in Mitchell. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday at the Will Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery with military rites. Leonard B. Williams was born on May 6, 1918 in Mitchell to Leonard B.and Minnie (Barger) Williams. He grew up and attended school in Mitchell, graduating from Mitchell Senior High. He worked at Rozums as a parts man before entering the United States Army. Bud served in the Pacific theater during WW II, the Korean War and Vietnam. He was a graduate of Officers Candidate School; Army Command and General Staff College. He received the Legion of Merit award, the Army Commendation Medal in 1966 and 1968, and the Bronze Star Medal. He was united in marriage with Georgia Bonnie Watts on June 25, 1950 in Mitchell. He retired as a Lt. Colonel in June 1968, and Bud and Bonnie moved back to Mitchell. They were very active in the Mitchell community. Bud was employed as the Director of the YMCA and later as Coordinator of Student Affairs at the Mitchell Vocational Technical School. In 1985, he was elected to the city council and in 1986, was elected Mayor of Mitchell. He was the first black mayor of a major city. He also received the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Dakota Wesleyan University. Bud was a member of the Congregational UCC, and a former member of the Rotary Club and the Optimists Club. He received the honor of Eagle Scout, Troop 71. He was a Boy Scout Leader and Jr. Asst. Scout Master. He enjoyed basketball and football and liked to read. One of his greatest pleasures in his life was having the new LB Williams Elementary school named in his honor. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; a niece Anne Suzette Bankhead, Orlando, FL; and a grandnephew, Gerald Ladner, Allen, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Katherine

Burial information: Graceland Cemetery, Mitchell, SD

This information was last updated 03/29/2021

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024