Thief River Falls – Thomas Charles “Tommy” Williams, 75, of Thief River Falls, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 31, 2023 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND.
Thomas Charles Williams was born December 30, 1947 at Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis, the son of Joseph Gordon and Lois (Funk) Williams. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He graduated from Buffalo Lake High School with the class of 1965 and went on to attend Mankato State where he got 52 credits playing cards.
Tom began working for Blue Shield in Minneapolis and was later offered a job for Blue Cross/Blue Shield in the early 1970s in Thief River Falls. As a salesman he sold to many large corporations in Northwestern Minnesota and eventually earned the title of Senior Account Representative. He retired in 1999. For the past 17 years, Tom has sold advertising for The Times.
On July 24, 1976 Tom married Jeanne and the couple made their home in Thief River Falls where they have continued to reside.
Tom enjoyed playing slow pitch softball where he made many good life-long friends. He enjoyed spending time at the Legion, bowling and curling with his DLB.
He had a great sense of humor and was always a prankster.
Time with his grandchildren was what he really enjoyed. Whether it be trying to spin them out on go carts, talking fantasy football nonstop with Parker, or paying kids money for the best belly flops. All around he loved kids but probably wasn’t the best influence though it was all in fun.
Tom was a president, board member and fun member of the Thief River Golf Club where he was instrumental in helping to develop the back 9, making it an 18-hole course. Tom was a high school official for over 30 years and officiated several prep bowl games at the Metrodome.
Tom was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Elks Club, Sons of the American Legion and Sports Boosters (where he made his wife happy by having lunch at the Legion every Thursday) in Thief River Falls.
Survivors include his wife, Jeanne of Thief River Falls; his rock-star daughter, Sarah (Ryan) Rislov of New Hope; grandson, Parker; granddaughter, Addison; mother, Lois of Hutchinson; brothers, Phillip (Rose) Williams and Paul Williams; Jeanne’s children, Scott Carlson, Steven (Cathy) Carlson, Linda (Robert) Jansen; grandchildren, Brady, Dominic, and Ben Thompson, Stephanie, Amanda and Krista Jansen; step-grandchildren, William Hess and Joseph Holten and many more relatives and a life-time’s worth of wonderful friends.
He is preceded in death by his father; mother-in-law, Ruth Cockrell; father-in-law, Stanley Cockrell; and step-daughter, Lisa Thompson.
A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com.
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