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
Arland G. Rogers
Arland G. Rogers, 92, went to be with Lord on July 3, 2025, on the Hamilton County farm where he had lived for most of his life. He was born on November 12, 1932, the second child of Wayne & Elda (Dyck) Rogers. He graduated the eighth grade from Antelope Rural School, the... [More]
Shannon Craig Thompson
Shannon Craig Thompson, of Lone Jack, MO, a man of wit, wanderlust, and unwavering honesty. He passed away on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at the age of 56. Surrounded by the warmth of family and friends at Saint Luke’s Hospital on the Plaza, Shannon’s journey came to... [More]
Gary Lee Walk
Gary Lee Walk, beloved foster son of Barbara and Kenny Bay, was born August 19, 1961, in Scott City, Kansas to Lloyd Irving Walk and Margaret Jane McCormick Walk. He lived in Lakin, Kansas until he was 17 years old when he moved to Syracuse, Kansas to live with his foster parents.... [More]
Richard Mark Jones
Funeral Services for Lamar, Colorado resident, Richard Jones will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, June 23, 2025 at Life Center Church with Pastor Fabian Reyes officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until time of the service. Cremation will follow... [More]
Calvin Snodgrass
Calvin Snodgrass, 79, passed away April 1, 2025 at Chambersburg Hospital, Chambersburg, PA. He was born November 11, 1945 in Springfield, Colorado, to Pearl and Ralph Snodgrass. Calvin graduated from Springfield High School and attended one year of college before being drafted... [More]
Alma Lou (Thrush) Plunkett
Alma Lou (Thrush) Plunkett, 87, passed away in Garden City, KS at Ranch House Senior Living on May 17, 2025. Alma was born on December 10, 1937, in Syracuse, KS to Wesley Miles Thrush and Alma Gladys Thrush, an only child. Her parents were farmers in rural Staton... [More]
James “Bub” McGee
A Memorial Service for James “Bub” McGee will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 7, 2025, at the Bristol Grace Fellowship Church in Bristol, Colorado with Rev. Kathy Leathers officiating. Inurnment will follow in the Hartman Cemetery, Hartman, Colorado. James... [More]
Richard Helfrich
A graveside memorial service for longtime Coolidge, Kansas resident Richard Helfrich will be held at 10:00AM on Wednesday, June 04, 2025 at the Sunnyvale Cemetery south of Coolidge, Kansas. Following the service a gathering of family... [More]
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SPORTS
HI-PLAINS ALL LEAGUE
The Hi-Plains League has announced recipients of all-league basketball honors. The selection process begins when individual coaches submit names. The players are then voted on by the other HPL coaches. However, coaches may not vote on their own players. Syracuse High School... [More]
SHS CHEER TAKES SECOND
Small but Mighty! That is the name high school Head Cheerleading Coach, Marcos Valadez put on the 2024-2025 squad last summer, “We may not have the numbers, but our team has overcome adversity and is always stepping up to the challenge.” Proving this, the Syracuse... [More]
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!!
The Lady Bulldogs were undefeated during the Border Wars, defeating Eads on Friday, 42-7 and Walsh on Saturday 62-5, bringing their record to 3-1. But the winner wasn’t announced until Tuesday evening. Syracuse Athletic Director Josh Johnson explained, “It came down... [More]
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NEWS
Rahmeier New County Farm Bureau Coordinator
Hamilton County Farm Bureau Association is pleased to introduce their new County Coordinator, Kylie Rahmeier. Rahmeier will be taking Mackenzie Simon’s place who resigned after five years. She began shadowing Simon in June and will officially assume her position... [More]
Community Rallies Around David Cartwright with Upcoming Benefit Dinner
A benefit dinner for Syracuse resident David Cartwright will be held on Friday, June 27 at the Veterans Building, located at 607 N Main Street in Syracuse. The event is being organized to help offset medical expenses following David’s recent diagnosis of stage 4 cancer.... [More]
Hometown Vets Take Honor Flight
Palmer, visiting the Vietnam memorial, found the name of one of Syracuse’s hometown heroes, killed in Vietnam, Bobby Jantz, “He was truly a good friend.” Two hometown Veterans, Van Vesper and Oliver Palmer, recently had the opportunity to travel on the... [More]
Twice The Ice Opens
Last weekend, Ark Valley Oil opened up a new self-serve ice and water vending machine at the west end of Syracuse, on Highway 50 and N Highway 27. John Welch has had a vision for that location. When the property became available, he saw it’s opportunity. ... [More]
Farm Store Opens North of Kendall
Drive ten miles north of Kendall where the blacktop ends, where the dust of the county dirt road flies. Travel a few more miles and on the Kearny County side of the border you will find the Horton Farmstead. Trees, farm equipment, a small backyard playground, barns, and a small,... [More]
Weis Awarded Bronze Star Medal
Syracuse resident Marvin and Janet Weis returned home last week to find a package waiting at their door. Marvin was sure Janet had ordered something online. When they got inside and opened the manila envelope, Marvin was shocked to find he had been awarded the Bronze Star Medal... [More]
GRAMMY D’S SWEETS MOVES TO SYRACUSE
“Since I moved back here, everything is falling into place.” Diena Schwieterman, 1986 SHS graduate made the decision to move home. “As soon as I made the decision, it seems like everything began falling into place.” Diena... [More]
Powerlifters Head to State
Syracuse Bulldogs power lifting successful season is ending with nine athletes qualifying for the state meet Saturday, March 29 in Conway Springs at 9:00 AM CT, 8:00 AM MT. Qualifying are Natalia Figueroa, Stella Simon, Deena Rochat, Angel Peralta, Angel Ramirez, Will Roberts,... [More]
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OPINIONS
What's the Lesson?
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There's A Place For You
It’s July 2025.The year is half over. The county fair begins in just a few weeks and school will start shortly after that. I cannot believe how fast time is flying. I am home with a fever and a cold. And quite irritated because that is for winter, not beautiful... [More]
Here I am God
It’s the end of June. My daughter is away at camp for a week, and there is a lot of quiet and a lot of space. It is strange and uncomfortable. My first reaction is to try and fill the space. But a part of me just wants to stop and relax a little. There are things... [More]
Hurry Up and Slow Down
It’s Tuesday morning. Juneteenth, the day commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, is a federal holiday. It snuck up on me like everything else lately. So I had to knock out this paper rather quickly. It is mid June, wheat harvest is here, the fourth of July... [More]
Looking for the Good
It is mid June with a little over five weeks until the County Fair starts. We have a 4-H meeting today after we did barn chores, I took a walk, and my daughter had basketball practice and helped with our local vacation bible school. This part of parenting is running... [More]
A Little Patience
It’s a cool, rainy Wednesday morning as I write this column. More rain is forecasted today. As long as tornados and hail stay away, I am good. Praying for protection on all our fields! The wheat is ripening quickly. I hope everyone has a safe harvest. We... [More]
Life in a Smalll Town
It’s the end of May. As I write this Wednesday morning boys are at state golf doing well!! Girls are headed to state track. So it doesn’t feel like school is out yet. I wish I could delay the paper’s publishing to have the results but life doesn’t work... [More]
Moments in Time
It’s the last day of school. Another school year has ended. It has had a few challenges but overall a great one. In the last week, we have covered high school graduation, kindergarten graduation, and eighth grade promotion (next week’s paper). High school graduation... [More]
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