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.
Graveside funeral services for Max Williams will be held at 11:00 a.m. MST, Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at the Holly, Cemetery in Holly, Colorado. Max Shane Williams was born August 21, 1940 to Roy O. and Thelma L. (Hager) Williams in Wellington, Kansas and went... [More]
Julie Ann Lewis. What was in a name and in a life? Julie is derived from the Latin name Julia associated with qualities such as youthfulness, beauty, and vivacity. It is associated with a person who is gentle, kind-hearted and a strong sense of loyalty. Ann is a derivative... [More]
A graveside memorial service for Celinda Barrett will be held at 11:00 a.m. MST, Saturday, November 9, 2024, at the Coolidge Cemetery in Coolidge, Kansas with Pastor Kathy Leathers officiating. Celinda’s family invites those in attendance to join them at The... [More]
Alex Jerad Hobson “Big Al”, 48, passed away October 24, 2024 in Centennial, Colorado. He was born April 25, 1976 in Moundridge, Kansas. Alex attended Syracuse High School, granduating in 1994. In addition to playing golf throughout high school, Alex... [More]
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 of Syracuse, KS passed away on October 17, 2024 at the age of 76. He was born May 19, 1948 in Lamar, Colorado. He was raised and lived in Syracuse most of his life. He enjoyed playing baseball as a kid. He graduated from Syracuse... [More]
Craig Richard Freeman of Syracuse, Kansas has passed on but has left, in his absence, a life of great legacy and accomplishment. Born January 27, 1954, in Sioux Falls, SD, Craig was the oldestof three brothers, Todd and Laird Freeman, born to James and Marilyn Freeman.... [More]
At 10:42 AM MDT on Sunday morning Violet Jones took her last breath and was immediately ushered into her eternal home, where God had prepared a place for her. And where she has joined with many of her family and dear friends once again. Violet, the 7th born of 12 children of... [More]
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]
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]
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 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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
Brandon Batchelor is a husband, father, and grandfather who was diagnosed with ALS. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that causes the gradual loss of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. ... [More]
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]
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]
Pictured Front - Asher Battin, Monroe Kuder, Brynnleigh Bennett, Aytzel Zapata, Emma Simon, Janney Velarde, Katalyna Perez, Bentley Simon Back - Ana Aguilera, Sean Michealis, Vance Keller, Anita Ramos, Deysy Miramontes, Haley Forest, Matt Bennett/photo by Michele Boy
Rhonda Hedberg is a busy woman. She is an SHS grad who went to school in Hutchinson, came back home, and started a family. She and husband Tim have five children - Kylie Good, Kelly, Keith, Kegan, and Kelsey. She has been a Daycare Provider for over 30 years, and manages Sunflower... [More]
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]
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]
While many youth in our community have been able to take part in the free junior golf lessons during the summer for many years, Paige Barnes recalls it as what pushed her on this journey. Barnes said, “When we moved to Syracuse, my first experience with golf was... [More]
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]
It is the last day of October. I love the changing colors of the leaves. They stop me in my tracks. Absolutely gorgeous! There is rain in the forecast. Even if it is a mist, I am ready for moisture! The clocks turn back on Sunday. It will be darker earlier and start... [More]
It rained in Hamilton County this weekend. Thunder boomed and rain soaked the ground, the fields, and put smiles on many faces in town. Conversations in rural ag communities after a rain start off happier. “Hey, it rained.” We have a week without sports... [More]
It’s a cool October morning. It’s weather I love! I read something that said you should never begin a story with the weather. Well where we live it is the basis for almost everything. Temperature, climate, frost, wind, all determine how a farmer will approach... [More]
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]
It’s October and the temperatures are fluctuating from 70s to 90s. Life is speeding by! And I have ten minutes left to get this paper to press. My daily bible verse said, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”... [More]
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]
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]
©2024 The Syracuse Journal. Powered by Pluto Sites.