Obituaries
Dawson “Butch” Williams, 81, of Ottawa, IL was born to Calvin and Rosemary Williams on April 29, 1943. The family lived in Beckley, Virginia until moving to Illinois when Butch was a young boy.
After moving to Chicago, he met his future bride, Bertha “Berdie” Riebniger when they were just teenagers. Butch and Berdie became friends, neighborhood kids he would call all the friends they grew up with. After high school, Butch served in the U.S. Army. He worked in areas of communications and transportation while a part of 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Division. He was a proud veteran and a member of the American Legion, Post 522.
After discharge, he came home and asked Berdie to be his wife. They married on August 14, 1965. They had two children, Timothy and Pamela. Choosing to raise their family in the suburbs, they were longtime residents of Bolingbrook, then Joliet before settling in Prophetstown to live out their retirement years. They lived on the Rock River and enjoyed every bit of small-town life.
Butch drove semi-trucks for over 40 years and hauled everything imaginable. He retired from the big rigs, as a hazmat, tanker driver. However, Butch could not curb the wanderlust in his heart. He began hauling recreational trailers with his dually pickup soon after. Berdie joined him on many of these trips. After they made their delivery, they would turn the trip back home into a vacation. Butch’s goal was to show Berdie each of the lower 48 states. He did, too! They really fell in love with Texas. After Butch finally stopped driving for hire, they kept a trailer at a RV park in Mathis, Texas where they lived during the cold months as “Winter Texans”. Butch relocated to Ottawa to be closer to family after the loss of Berdie in 2023. He was proud of the work he was putting into his new place, making it feel like a home.
He had so many passions in addition to the open road. Butch loved his family! He was an especially proud “Pa Pa” to his grandchildren. He loved talking about his children and grandchildren to anyone who would stand still. He collected scale model toy cars, trucks, and John Deere tractors. He enjoyed his boats, fishing, and tinkering in the garage. He enjoyed having a big yard and was even happy when cutting the grass with his John Deere zero turn mower. He loved to go out to eat, particularly for breakfast. He had a real enthusiasm for American history. His favorite television was anything on the History or Discovery Channels. He had a lifelong enjoyment for watching westerns.
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Bertha Williams, his parents, Calvin and Rosemary (Crane) Williams, father and mother-in-law, Willy and Anna (Stadler) Riebniger, a sister-in-law, Elizabeth (Riebniger) Rosland, and niece, Karol Rosland.
Butch is survived by his sister Darlene (Ralph) Moore, two children he shared with Berdie, Timothy (Jacquelyn) Williams, Pamela (Todd) Sheetz, grandchildren, Shannon (Jacob) Guca, Connor Sheetz, Danielle Williams, and Abigail Sheetz, nephews Eric Rosland, John (Lori) Moore, Robert (Brenda) Moore, niece Karen (Brian) Halstead, one daughter from his previous marriage, Vicki (Bill) Schnoor, grandchildren Breeann Perry, Garrett Simonds, and two great granddaughters, Tabitha and Emily. In addition, many great nephews and nieces.
Now Butch is driving the highways in heaven, he is greatly missed by so many family members and friends who loved him and are proud of him, too.
*Friday, November 15, 2024 - 11:00 a.m. Cremains inurnment with Military Honors. Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, 20953 W Hoff Rd, Elwood, IL 60421. *please arrive 15 minutes early, stop at the Public Information Center where everyone will be lined up.
Friday, November 15, 2024 - 3:30 p.m. Memorial gathering with meal. Stone City VFW, 124 Stone City Drive, Joliet, IL 60436.
Previous Events
Memorial Service
15
Nov
20953 W. Hoff Road
Elwood, IL 60421
*Please arrive 15 minutes early, stop at the Public Information Center where everyone will be lined up.
Memorial Gathering
15
Nov
124 Stone City Drive
Joliet, IL 60436
Meal will be served.
Cemetery Details
Location
20953 W. Hoff Road
Elwood, IL 60421
