Alfred Elmer Williams

Al Williams was born May 8, 1924 in Staples, Minnesota, to Elmer and Helen Williams. Al grew up in Staples and attended school there. He worked for Gambles Hardware in Staples during high school and later in Superior, Wisconsin until he was drafted into the Army in WWII. January 31, 1944 he married his high school sweetheart, Lorraine Alme, in St. Paul, MN. He served in the Army under Patton and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was honorably discharged at the end of WWII.
On discharge he went back to work for Gambles. He and Lorraine lived Ely, MN, Ironwood, MI, and Rochester, MN. While living in Rochester they adopted their children, Judy and David.
Al always wanted to live in the West. In 1964 Gambles opened a discount store chain, Tempo, and Al opened the Twin Falls, ID, store. Later the family moved to Havre, MT where Al resumed working for Gambles.
In 1969 he bought his own Gambles store in Powell, WY, which he ran until he retired in 1981. He and Lorraine enjoyed their retirement years, babysitting their first granddaughter, Tracy, traveling, and wintering in various Arizona locations, with Bullhead City being a favorite.
All his life Al loved horses and owned many over the years. He was especially fond of Arabians and was very proud of his stallion, Al's Malik.
Al did not know how to "do nothing." When he was no longer living on the Willwood haying and tending his garden and animals, he stayed busy in town collecting old computers and refurbishing them, then donating them to needy kids. Later he rebuilt bicycles and gave them away to needy children and college students.
Al was a wonderful husband, dad, and "Papa" to his grandchildren. He always had a way with children, especially babies, and he loved handing out suckers to the kids who came into Gambles with their parents.
Al died with Lorraine by his side while in hospice care in Billings on January 20, 2010 after a short illness. They were married nearly 66 years. He is also survived by daughter, Judy (Malcolm Goodrich) of Billings; son, Dave, of Powell; grandchildren, Tracy (Brandon Gates) of Powell and Colin and Ainsley Goodrich of Billings; great-grandson, Kolby Gates, of Powell; his older sister, Mildred Boyer, of Whittier, CA and his younger brother, Alvin, of Bloomington, MN; brother-in-law, Allyn Alme (Kay) of Rochester, whom he and Lorraine helped raise; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place. A Memorial service will be held Saturday, January 23, 2010 at Thompson Funeral Home in Powell. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials, with thanks, to Riverstone Hospice, 1019 Neptune, Billings, MT 59105, to your local Food Bank, or the charity of your choice.