Merwin (Mel) E. Williams, 89, passed away at the Sannes Skogdalen Nursing Home in Soldiers Grove on Sept. 15, 2016, after a brief illness.
He was born June 2, 1927, to Earl and Winnie Williams on the family farm in Ontario and later moved to the rural La Farge area with his family. He married Wanda M. Vandervort on July 26, 1948, and they were married for 67 years, until her death on Jan. 17, 2016.
Mel is survived by his sister, Darlene Cooley of La Farge; three daughters, Sally Achenbach (friend Jerry Fischer), Sherry Santine Hearn (Don) of Montana, and Sara Law (Steve) of Wyoming; as well as four grandchildren, Rachel Santine, Travis Law, Taryn Law and Rick Achenbach; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He is also survived by a few special friends, including Ben and Renee Haugh of Indiana (and La Farge), who were kind and generous to him, especially in his final years.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Wanda; his parents; his siblings, Helen Russell, Woodrow Williams, Dorothy Wagner, Otis Williams and Bud Williams; and a grandson, Grant Achenbach.
Mel was a World War II Navy veteran, country western musician, carpenter, car dealer, avid hunter, and history lover who logged many, many hours traveling to historical sites around the country and the mountains of the west. He was a well-traveled raconteur who loved elk hunting, gun trading and collecting, buying and selling cars (he was especially fond of expensive, collectible cars), and mostly country music.
He had his own country band for many years and was still able to carry a decent tune and entertain the residents and staff at Sannes Skogdalen until shortly before his death. He had many friends at Sannes and appreciated the wonderful nurses, aides, and staff who took such good care of him until his passing. He also enjoyed sharing his stash of edible goodies with them, as well as with the residents and friends who would come by to visit.
He did so many things and traveled to so many places in his lifetime that it would be too lengthy to recount, and he will be deeply missed by the people who loved him.
Mel had this to say about his life: “After the time I spent in the Navy during World War II, I met the beauty of my life, Wanda Vandervort. We married in 1948 and raised three daughters. Together we spent many years in Colorado, and we also lived in Nashville, Tenn., where we had a little fun with music and met a few country music stars. I played and sang from Arizona to Nashville, several states in between, and also in Canada. Those family members and friends who knew and cared about me know that I lived a full and adventurous life.”
At their request, Mel and Wanda’s ashes will be comingled together and buried at Bear Creek Cemetery near La Farge at a private family service to be held at a later date. Memorials may be made in Mel’s memory to the VFW at 202 N. State St. in La Garge.
The Clary Memorial Funeral Home in Richland Center is handling the cremation and caring for the family. Condolences may be sent to Sherry S. Hearn, 165 Dawn Drive, Columbia Falls, MT 59912 or online at www.clarymemorialfuneralhome.com.
