Gary Williams Funeral

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Obituary

Garry Williams, 69, of Fort Dodge passed away Friday, October 28, 2022 at Trinity Medical Center.

Gary is survived by sister Cynthia Williams of CA, and Granddaughter Crystal (Manual) Sanchez and their children, Karmen, Enrique, Cecelia, and Manuel Jr.

Gary Lee Williams was born May 20, 1953 in CA. After graduation he enlisted in the Army and served until his honorable discharge in 1976. Gary loved a cold Mountain Dew, Elvis, and watching country westerns. he enjoyed spending time with his granddaughter and her family.

Eulogy

What is the sum of a man’s life? Our life is lived between the dashes on our memorial or tomb stone.

With Gary it can be summed with some words:

Kind-hearted, generous, sweet, Nice always a gentleman, loyal, a good friend, companion, loved family even if they were not biologically his. He was stubborn, funny, honest, hard-working, very caring and loved great-grandchildren.

He suffered from PTSD and a personality disorder but it did not define him or hinder him from living his life.

Jesus set the example. Eventhough man wanted to kill Him, He had purpose, to:

Isaiah 61:1 GNB

1 The Good News of Deliverance The Sovereign Lord has filled me with his Spirit. He has chosen me and sent me To bring good news to the poor, To heal the broken-hearted, To announce release to captives And freedom to those in prison.

Isaiah 61:2 GNB

2 He has sent me to proclaim That the time has come When the Lord will save his people And defeat their enemies. He has sent me to comfort all who mourn,

Isaiah 61:3 GNB

3 To give to those who mourn in Zion Joy and gladness instead of grief, A song of praise instead of sorrow. They will be like trees That the Lord himself has planted. They will all do what is right, And God will be praised for what he has done.

Well, that is what Jesus did. He came to fulfill Isaiah’s prophesy. We today help to continue to carry the message. Not our message, but God’s.

Speaking of messages, I have limited time this morning, but need to give a few stories From Gary’s life.

Cockroach- one day on an icy winter day Gary and Wendy were talking on the sidewalk by Laufensweilers Funeral home and he slipped on the ice and fell on his back. Wendy explained he was having a hard time getting up and he looked like a cockroach and it cracked her up. Well at least if he died from the fall he was close to where he needed to be, the funeral home.

Gary hated haircuts, and Crystal ended up taking on the task, but not without some fun along the way like dying his hair one day and they called it the “Barbie” look.

Wendy and Gary had been companions/friends for over 20 years. They met at the Court apartments and a cigarette lead to a date, and a date to a lifelong friendship. She would throw him out from time to time and he would beg to let him back in, and she would.

Gary had a purple outside his “Barney” look that consisted of a purple T-shirt and pants. People would make fun of him, but Wendy, well not sure if she stuck around then or distanced herself from him when he did that.

When in the Army people called him “gunner” but when his teeth were pulled he came to be known at “Gummer” and they would sing “I’m a gummy bear” at him.

They called Jesus many different things, even when He told them He was the Son of man, Son of God, sent from above, some called him teacher, a prophet, some the Savior of the world, the Messiah, crazy, and a deceiver. Jesus knew that his followers would be called things, be persecuted at times too and he prepared them for it.

Matthew 5:11–12 NLT

11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

Gary would want you to know, to believe, to be a follower of Jesus for He is

John 14:6 NASB95

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

For there is no other way, except through Jesus

Acts 4:12 NASB95

12 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

Gary had serious health issues for the last few years and was in Villa Care Center after 20 years at Wikansa manor where he made many friends in both. Now he is living eternally, no longer suffering from the ill’s of a failing body.

Today we honor Gary in our thoughts, in our prayer and now our government wants to give Gary an honor too.

Military honor Guard here.

(prayer) (Dismissal)