Steven Allen Williams was born on October 12, 1955 and shortly thereafter adopted by the modestly sophisticated family of Robert and Lucille Williams of Jackson, Michigan. He attended Jackson High School while developing into an active, well-rounded young man. He was captain of the golf team and member of the National Honors Society; he also traveled to Spain his senior year for academic purposes.

After high school he attended Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan where he participated in a variety of activities, all endearing, some embarrassing and others unmentionable. He continued such fun and persistence in the Naval Armed Forces where he proudly served as an Officer.

His greatest endeavor in life was to pass his appreciation for wisdom, objective thinking and compassion for all onto his own children. Though words are insufficient to do his impact justice, it is sufficient to say he did precisely that and much more to his daughter Ashley Marie Williams, born June of 1985 and his son Michael Luke Williams, born January of 1992. As a father he was an attentive guardian; gracious with his acceptance, support and unconditional love. His children wish to extend awareness of his uniquely coarse, occasionally misunderstood sense of humor and fervent love for honest-to-goodness Blues, Motown and Rock & Roll music.

Dare we forget to mention his formidable talent and passion for the wonderful game of golf! He had the seldom privilege and honor of landing a hole-in-one during one of his final rounds on the narrows. Golf is yet another passion he has passed onto his children, along with a keen appreciation for and sense of creativity.

Steve dedicated his late 30s and 40s to the Lutheran Church where he served as a Minister and subsequently impacted hundreds of individuals and families across the country. He believed in a traditional approach to the Gospel and was well acknowledged for his moving sermons. Wildly adept at writing, many of his pieces have been featured in various Christian publications.

He strongly held onto to his faith in God despite his resignation from the Lutheran Church in 2001, shortly after the traumatic death of his mother Lucille due to cancer. His children have lived around the world, much of the time apart from him. And yet, his struggles reinforced his ardent faith.

In his final years he settled back in Brookings, South Dakota serving as an employee at 3M. In 2008 he was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), which slowly caused him to lose his fit physical condition and ultimately proved fatal. Fortunately, in his last year he made peace with his condition and reached out to his children in stronger ways than ever before; saturating them with hope, inspiration, love, perspective and support despite the physical distance between them all. For those lucky enough to have truly known Steve understand what a tremendous force and inspiration of strength and perseverance he was and will remain.

Preceded in death by both his parents, Steve gracefully joined them in his sleep on October 24, 2010, just 12 days after his 55th birthday.

Ashley and Michael wish to invite you to revel in their fathers courage, life, love and vibrancy on the evening of Tuesday, November 23rd. Visitation will begin at 4:30 followed by a service by Pastor Ken Brokmeier at 6:30 held at Our Savior Lutheran Church, in Brookings. Finally, as Steve would want to go out with a celebration all are invited to join his family and friends at his favorite bar, Rays Corner at 8:00 PM.