Visitation: Visitation, with family present, will be from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at Redeemer Free Lutheran Church. 

Service: Funeral services will begin at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at Redeemer Free Lutheran Church, Canton, SD. 

Lester Williams, age 92, passed away on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, surrounded by his loving family at Sanford Canton-Inwood Hospital. Funeral services will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at Redeemer Free Lutheran Church in Canton, South Dakota. Visitation, with family present, will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, also at the church.

Lester was born on November 15, 1933, in Hawarden, Iowa, to Monroe and Florence Eleanor (Wenbourne) Williams. He attended school in Hudson and Canton, South Dakota. From a young age, Lester learned the value of hard work, a principle that would define his entire life. He proudly served his country as a member of the South Dakota Army National Guard from 1950 to 1957.

On December 12, 1953, Lester married Irene Middendorp. Their marriage of 66 years was marked by love, loyalty, and a life built side by side. Lester cherished Irene, and everything he built—his work, his home, and his legacy—was rooted in his love for her and their family. Together, they farmed near Sioux Falls before settling on a farm south of Canton in 1960, where they raised their family and spent most of their lives.

Lester was a farmer at heart and worked the land for more than 70 years, raising cattle, pigs, and chickens. His work ethic extended far beyond the farm. He worked for Henry Carlson Construction, spent 31 years at John Morrell & Co., and drove truck for Souvignier’s for 30 years. Retirement was never part of Lester’s vocabulary—he worked until the very end of his life. Remarkably, even at the age of 89, he was still building houses, proving that hard work was not just what he did, but who he was.

Lester battled cancer for nearly nine years and remained strong and hard-working until the end. Strong as an ox, he continued to show up each day, determined to keep working, providing, and living life on his own terms.

Lester did more than work hard himself—he passed those values on. He taught his kids how to work hard, showing them the importance of showing up, doing the job right, and taking pride in honest labor. Through his example, he instilled a strong work ethic that will continue to shape his family for generations to come.

Above all else, Lester loved his family. He was a devoted husband, a proud father, and a grandfather who cherished time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be remembered for his steady presence, his strength, his quiet determination, his love for green tractors and red pickups, and for a life lived with integrity, humility, and purpose.

Lester is survived by his sons, Steve (Deb) Williams and Jeff Williams; grandchildren, Racheal (Steve) Clay, Jody Williams (Jason), Steve (Loralie) Williams, Mindy Williams, and Verlyn (Anje) Williams; 17 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren; special niece, Laurie Wiebe; along with numerous extended relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife of 66 years, Irene; and his siblings, Harlan Williams, Duane Williams, Dale Williams, Lucinda Schoellerman, Viola Tatum, Shirley Grotewald, Wanda Pinkstoph, and Harvey Williams.