James Edward Williamson
1932 - 2011
James Edward Williamson, 79, passed away Oct. 13.
He was born to Julius and Agnes (Sorenson) Williamson in Bristol, S.D. He attended country school and graduated from Bristol High School in 1950.
He entered the U.S. Navy in 1951, and served in the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters hauling ammunition to Korea. In 1956 he entered the U.S. Air Force, serving in Greenland and various bases in the United States.
Jim came back to Bristol and worked for Nels Anderson and Hansmeir and Son. In 1976 he left for Auburn, Wash., and worked moving trailer houses; he moved to Dillon in 1980, and worked for the Beaverhead County Highway Department. He also served as a hunting guide and did taxidermy work. James entered Parkview Acres Rest Home in 2008.
His joys were hunting, fishing and fixing things; one of Jim’s pleasures was having coffee with his friends.
He is survived by a brother, Wesley Williamson, Bristol, S.D.; five nieces, Debbie Berthigume and Theresa (Dave) Wodecki, Holyoke, Mass., Pam (William) Dylla, Bristol, Diane (John) St John, Jackson, Tenn., and Gwen (James) Bates, Manuel, Tex.; two nephews, Wayne (Marilyn) Williamson, Alvin, Tex., and Gene (Judy) Williamson, Bristol, S.D.; 12 great-nieces and -nephews.
He was proceeded in death by his parents and two brothers, Arthur and Kenneth Williamson.
Memorial services were held Monday at Brundage Chapel in Dillon.
Fred Charles Stibal
1936 - 2011
Fred Stibal, Oct. 7, 1936 to Oct. 9, 2011. Services were held Oct. 14 at Brundage Chapel.
Seventy-five years later, this is what we know.
You were born Fred Charles Stibal, Oct 7, 1936, to Charles and Mamie Stibal of Roberts, Idaho.
You graduated from Corvallis High School, and attended Montana State where you rode broncs for the rodeo team, but always wished you had joined the chorus instead.
Drafted into the army, with time spent in Germany, you hated being told what to do, something that never changed; and were grateful for the day when you could come home and joined your dad and life long business partner, your brother, Charles and Sandra Stibal in ranching. Along with Chick, you always looked out for your older sister, Shirley (Auntie Ber), who was always really in charge of you both.
You met your future wife, Donnee Shaffner, wrestling calves at a branding. “Ain’t no woman like the one you got.”
Together you spent your winters in Roberts, Idaho, and made your way back to the Centennial Valley for the summer and fall. It’s hard to tell which was your favorite season, irrigating or calving. Wherever it was, mom was right by your side. She loved it all as much as you did until she passed away Oct 1, 1993.
A respected cattleman, you truly are a cowboy. Your compassion for animals is unmatched. You love your dogs, cats and horses, but mostly your cows. You’re sentimental about the land by which you live, the friends and the neighbors. Good fences and green grass matter; and there is no other place on earth that you would rather be than your valley. You have always just wanted to work.
You are an irrigator. You always prided yourself for getting every bump flooded. Your idea of a big fancy tractor is the Massey and ditcher.
Next to cattle, music was probably your greatest passion. You're probably the only cowboy that listens to classical music in your pickup, and despises country music, loving Tina, Aretha, Whitney and Diana. You have a mean shimmy. After your cows and music, your arrowhead collection was your pride and joy, and your only real hobby.
You were the one that didn't want to go to the party, but always the last one to leave.
Along the way you raised two pretty good daughters, Lynda Berg and Lori Kraft, who married two pretty good son-in-laws, Jess Berg and Brad Kraft, who gave you three pretty good grandkids, Seth and Anna Kraft, and Kenadie Berg.
You are our dad, our grandpa, and your girls’ favorite dance partner; and we hope you know the legacy you have left us with. You got to spend your last summer in the valley, and for that we will be forever grateful. We know there is a big branding party going on in heaven, and you’re finally dancing with the one you have waited for so long to see.
Did we say, “You did it your way?”
There is a guest book at www.brundagefuneralhome.com.
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