Jim Williamson
Jim Williamson, 82, died Friday, October 25, 2024, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. He was born September 21, 1942, in Cedar Vale, Kansas, the son of Alfred Edmond & Evelyn Pauline (MaHocks) Williamson.
Jim lived in various places as a young child due to his father's occupation, they settled in Syracuse, Kansas where Jim attended and graduated from Syracuse High School. He then served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War, from September 6, 1960, to August 1, 1963. While serving, Jim also played basketball for the U.S. Navy team and was released from the service 1 month early in order to play at Garden City Junior College for 1 year. On April 25, 1965, he married Anita June Akers in Syracuse, Kansas. Jim worked in various occupations throughout his life. He worked as an insurance inspector, a disability investigator, a floor plan auditor, and a meter technician for various companies in Garden City.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Garden City. Jim has always enjoyed watching and playing in all sports. He played in many different Garden City softball teams where he was the pitcher and also known as the "Pop Up King." He enjoyed hunting, fishing and was an avid fan of KU Basketball, KU Football, Kansas City Royals, and the Kansas City Chiefs. His grandchildren were the joy of his life and would do everything with them and take in as many of their activities as he could.
Survivors include his wife Anita June Williamson of the home; a son Dr. Tim Williamson of Overland Park, Kansas; four grandchildren Katie Grace Williamson, Sam Williamson, Olivia Panessidi, & Jordan Timmers; three sisters-in-law Dixie Akers, Delores Akers, & Martha Akers; a brother-in-law Jim Dennis; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins including Joe McCord and Steve (Betty) Warring, and friends. Jim is preceded in death by his parents; a son Jeff Williamson which Jim and Anita miss very much; a brother John Ed & wife Earlene Williamson; a sister Joy & husband Pete Sikes; three brothers-in-law Barney Mack Akers Jr., Jim Akers, & Bob Pfannenstiel; a sister-in-law Elizabeth Dennis; his father-in-law & mother-in-law Barney Akers Sr. and Elsie Akers; a nephew Brian Pfannenstiel; and a niece Cindy Akers.
Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, November 1, 2024, at the First United Methodist Church in Garden City with Rev. Jim Akers officiating. The funeral may also be viewed on Facebook Life on the Garnand Funeral Home Facebook page. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Garden City with military graveside rites conducted by the United States Navy Honor Guard and the Southwest Kansas Veterans Honor Guard. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday at Garnand Funeral Home in Garden City. The family will be at the funeral home from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday to visit with friends. The family suggests memorials given to Tunnels to Towers, or to the University of Kansas Cancer, Center. Memorials are in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 412 N. 7th St., Garden City, Kansas 67846. Condolences may be given to garnandfuneralhomes.com.
OBITUARIES
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Alex Hobson
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Barney Mack Akers, Jr.
Barney Mack Akers, Jr. passed away October 19, 2024 at the Kearny County Hospital, Lakin, Kansas. Barney was the son of Barney Mack Akers, Sr. and Elsie Edna (Griffin) Akers. He was born August 11, 1931 in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Barney attended grade school in Springer,... [More]
Douglas Alvin Guldner
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Craig Freeman
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SPORTS
BULLDOGS OPEN FALL SEASON WITH FIRST PLACE FINISH IN GOLF
The Syracuse Bulldogs Ladies Varsity Golf Team took first at their season opener in Stanton County on Tuesday afternoon. They shot a team score of 207 at the Prairie Pines Golf Course in Johnson. The varsity team is Lanee Owens, Bronwyn Lewis, Sammy Schwieterman, Maddy... [More]
LEWIS HEADS TO STATE TRACK
Qualifying members of the high school track team traveled to Hill City Thursday, May 16 to compete in the 2-A regional meet against 15 teams, Ellinwood, Ellis, Hill City, Hoxie, Lincoln, Meade, Medicine Lodge, Oakley, Plainville, Smith Center, Stanton County, Sublette, Thomas... [More]
BULLDOGS TAKE SECOND AT REGIONALS - HEADED TO STATE
The Syracuse High School boys golf team battled breezy conditions on Monday May 13 competing in the 2-A Regional meet on their own Tamarisk Golf Course. Adjusting to windy conditions and competing at home paid off for the Bulldogs Monday, placing second, qualifying... [More]
STATE GOLF RESULTS
State golf on Monday had the Varsity Bulldogs miss playing in the finals as a team by one stroke. They finished seventh out of twelve teams. On Day 1, Brody Keller shot a 92 missing day two by two strokes. Ian Brummett shot a 95, Mason Scott and Johnny TeVelde shot... [More]
JH BASKETBALL WINS
Junior High Boys Basketball A, B, and C teams travelled to Elkhart on Monday, November 21. The A team won 41-34, B team won 26-21, and C team lost to Elkhart 13-20. Head Coach Vance Keller said, “Elkhart was a tough win for both the A and B teams but both grinded... [More]
LADY BULLDOGS BORDER WARS CHAMPIONS!!
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JH Basketball Season Underway with JH Boys sweeping Lakin
Monday night at home at the Herndon Gym, the Junior High boys swept Lakin! Head coach Vance Keller said, “We’re a young team with only six eighth graders and 12 seventh graders. We’ve had six total that started the season with injuries so we haven’t had... [More]
Senior Night Volleyball
Three Syracuse High School volleyball seniors were honored on Tuesday, October 5, during the volleyball tournament at Syracuse. Kaetlin Thomeczek, daughter of Joe and Dami Thomeczek has played volleyball since the third grade, playing with Syracuse Youth Activities Association... [More]
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NEWS
VETERANS DAY TRADITION CONTINUES
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BENEFIT FOR BATCHELOR BATTLING ALS
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COACH CASTRO AWARDED BETHANY COLLEGE ATHLETIC HALL OF HONOR
Jen Castro is the Junior High Football Coach, Head Softball Coach, Powerlifting Assistant Coach, Elementary Interrelated Special Education teacher, and now can add the honor of being awarded the Athletic Hall of Honor Award from her alma mater Bethany College. ... [More]
GENE DIKEMAN IS KBA’S NEW CHAIRMAN
Darrell Gene Dikeman II (Gene), has recently been named the Kansas Bankers Association’s 2024-2025 chairman. The mission of the KBA is “Together we support our member banks and bankers with leadership, advocacy, and education to benefit the communities and customers... [More]
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Hedberg Outback Designs
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1961 SHS GRAD PENS BOOK ON HIS MUSINGS AND INSPIRATIONS
Trying to heal from the loss of his wife, 1961 SHS graduate, Garry Warner, at the advice of his family physician and friend, suggested journaling to overcome his grief. The result, many years in the making, is a published book entitled Musings of a Walmart Greeter. The... [More]
FORMER SYRACUSAN WRITES CHILDREN’S BOOK
2015 Syracuse High School graduate Taelor (Oller) Leyva has always dreamed of being a novelist. But as her life and family grew, her priorities became God and her family. Leyva is the daughter of Crystal Loder and Dustin Oller. She married 2016 SHS grad Diego Leyva and... [More]
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OPINIONS
Drinking in the moments
Monday was a perfectly cold, crisp, fall morning. Colorful leaves falling filled the street with bright yellows, oranges, and reds. Gentle rains fell and a breeze blew in. I loved it. It felt like a moment when all was right with the world. There is an 80% chance... [More]
A little bit of fall. A little bit of everything
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Life moves pretty fast
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Cats in the Cradle
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Look for the Sunsets
On Tuesday afternoon I drove to southeast Colorado to watch my daughter cheer at a junior high football game. I smile at the things I do that I wouldn’t have done before she was born. I have said before I was not a cheerleading type of person but watching... [More]
Keep your face always toward the sunshine
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Do it Afraid
It’s the last week of September. I feel like I start every column with I can ‘t believe how fast this year is going. Fall is here! We are finally starting to get into a routine. There are still some logistical challenges but at least I can start to identify... [More]
Thoughts and Actions
I am writing this Wednesday morning and it rained overnight! I fell asleep to the beautiful sound of thunder and rain hitting the ground. Fall will be here Sunday. While the temperatures are still warm, I am looking forward to some cooler weather. In Hamilton... [More]
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