Myron Williams Obituary

Myron J. Williams was born January 7, 1948, to Lyle and Viola (Hamm) Williams. He grew up, with his siblings Marvin and Laine, near Owanka and graduated from Wall High School in 1966. He attended South Dakota State University where he met his future wife, Mary Healy.

Myron and Mary were united in marriage on August 23, 1969, in Chamberlain. The song Myron especially chose for their wedding was “I Love You Because”. After graduating SDSU, they began ranching near Farmingdale, before leasing and then buying the Bob and Herma Marsden place in the Cheyenne River breaks. They had a cow / calf operation, backgrounded cattle, ran yearlings, and farmed wheat and alfalfa. Myron was also a livestock order buyer for over 40 years.

He was very proud of his kids, having raised them on the ranch and instilled in them the qualities he valued, which included hard work, honesty and integrity. He was proud to have both sons and their families a part of the ranch operation after they too graduated from college. But his greatest joy was watching his grandchildren grow to love agriculture too.

He had a deep passion for his family, the Wall community and the beef industry which led him to become involved in and lead many organizations. He was a proud member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, in which he chaired many committees, including the Live Cattle Marketing Committee, the Budget & Finance Committee, the Governance Task Force and was on the Federation Division Operating Committee for almost 6 years. Myron became the Chairman of the Federation Division of Beef Councils from 2004-05 and was appointed to Cattlemen’s Beef Board in 2007. He proudly served on NCBA’s Executive Committee from 2000-2002, was a National Livestock and Meat Board Director from 1994-96 and a US Meat Export Federation Director for 5 years. He also served as the President of the Association of National Grasslands from 2011-13.

His roles at the state level were very important to him as well, where he served on the SD Brand Board, the SD Ag Rural Leadership Advisory Board, and was an SDSU Foundation Trustee from 2006 until 2024, including being on the Board of Governors from 2008-14. He served as the Federal Lands Committee Chair for the South Dakota Cattlemen’s, and as a Director for the SD Beef Industry Council for 20 years representing the SD Farm Bureau.

Myron was a Senior Lifetime member of the SD Buckaroos, having joined in 1969, served as a SD High School rodeo director for six years, was the SD 4-H Rodeo president for two years, served on the Wall School Board for six years, a Central States Fair Director for three years and a member of the St. Patrick’s Church Council.

His efforts were recognized in many distinguished ways, including the National Cattlemen’s Foundation Vision Award Winner (2007), Black Hills Stock Show Stockman of the Year (2008), SDSU Eminent Farmer (2007), SDSU Friend of the Beef Industry Award (2005), South Dakota Cattleman of the Year (2004) and South Dakota HS Rodeo Persons of the Year (1999).

Grateful for having shared his life is his wife Mary; two sons Marty and his wife Rhonda of Wall, Monty and his wife Bobbi of Box Elder and one daughter Misty Mattox and her husband Jeff of Kearney, NE; eight grandchildren, Jaicee Fite (Tanner) of Hermosa and Stran of Wall, Pacey, Ridlee, Pine and Lincoln of Box Elder and Haydon and Brynley Mattox of Kearney, NE; three step grandchildren, Madison, Laketon, Cooper McLaughlin and one great granddaughter, Georgia Calderon; several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Myron was preceded in death by maternal and paternal grandparents, parents, a granddaughter Makayla Mattox and daughter-in-law Stephanie Williams.

The family request memorials be directed to the family to later be distributed to the Wall Rodeo Boosters, SD Cattlemen’s Foundation and SDSU Indoor Rodeo Arena Complex fund. Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 388 Wall, SD 57790.

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall.

Funeral Services will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 27, at the Community Center in Wall.

Burial will follow at the Wall Cemetery.

Guest Book

Mary, and family, we are so sorry to hear of Myron’s passing. Sending our deepest sympathies and prayers
~ Roger & Marcia Gerdes Bella Vista, A r (6/25/2024)

Mary and family, my heart is breaking for you in the loss of your husband, father, grandfather. You are all lifted up in my prayers for peace and comfort.
~ Peggy Schlechter Rapid City (6/25/2024)

Our sincere condolences to you and the whole family on the loss of Myron. A great loss to the community as well. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
~ Cheryl (Bielmaier) Stewart Fort Worth, Texas (7/8/2024)

So sorry to hear Myron passed away. He was a great guy and would always ask how things were going and how was my neighbor Watty Taylor.
~ Jerry Jones Kirby, Montana (6/25/2024)

Sorry to hear of your loss. From western junior Livestock show and the Maude family.
~ Jackie Maude Hermosa sd (6/28/2024)

Myron was not only a tremendous advocate for the beef industry, he was a good man. I had the opportunity to interview him dozens of times over the years and his knowledge and ability to communicate was commendable. My sympathy on his loss. May he fly with the angels and touch the face of God!
~ Pam Geppert Kimball, SD (6/26/2024)

My condolences and virtual hugs to the entire extended Williams family. Myron was a great Cousin and always fun to visit with when the occasion arose. I hope everyone finds peace in their memories with such a loved and respected man.
~ Christine Hamm Hill Fairfax (6/25/2024)

Though we didn’t know Myron, as friends of John Healy we knew of him and his many accolades and his family ties. Our prayers and condolences are sent to his family and friends, which we know are many.
~ Charlie Palmer. Mark Rusk Fulton Md (6/25/2024)

Another great South Dakotan has passed on. Myron was a good man who was devoted to his family and the ranching community where he accomplished so much for the beef industry and local community and business affairs. He lived life to the fullest and he lived it well! He will be missed. My deepest sympathy to Mary, Marty, Monty and the entire Williams family.
~ Ron Frederick Mission (6/27/2024)

Mary and family, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
~ Boyd Waara Philip (6/25/2024)

RIP Myron. We’ll miss you on the Buckaroo Ride and at the poker table.
~ Phil Hogen Black Hawk, SD (6/26/2024)

Mary & families,
We were so shocked & saddened to hear of the loss of Myron. Class of ‘66 reunions won’t be the same without him. Holding you all in our thoughts and prayers.
~ Kitty and Leon Monke Regent, ND (6/25/2024)

My sympathy on the loss of Myron. I was on the SDARL board with him and always appreciated his dedication and friendship. His service to the ag community was highly valued. Many prayers for all of you.
~ Roxanne Knock Tulare (6/25/2024)

I am so sorry. Myron is one of the most decent individuals I have ever known.
~ John Tsitrian Rapid City, SD (6/25/2024)

So sorry to hear myron passed away. He will be so missed by the many who knew and loved him. My condolences Mary, Marty, rhonda, jaicee, stran
~ Kassandra- Linn -Zoeller Wall SD (6/26/2024)

SD
~ Kassandra Wall (6/26/2024)

Mary and Family,
Our sincere condolences. May you all find comfort in your many memories 🎊
~ Don&Susie Cuppy Mitchell (6/25/2024)

We are very sorry to hear of Myron’s passing. To you Mary and all of Myron’s family. We send our condolences and prayers. Myron was such a great ambassador for our community and the farming and ranching communities. He will be missed by many. God bless you all and peace be with you.
~ Butch and Kathy Beach Florida (7/4/2024)

Myron's passing brings sadness to one's heart, but more importantly, it's the fond memories he has left behind! After high school, we rodeo'd together as well as clowned & bullfighting! We drove gravel trucks on the Cheyenne River gravel pit one summer between college semesters together. I went north to Alaska & he went on to become a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and an accomplished Ambassador of & for the community and the AG Industry! I've always been proud of him but more importantly, I am most proud of having known Myron & always calling him a friend! Blessings to the family.
~ Wayne Haerer, Jr. Alaska & Arizona (6/29/2024)

Mary and Family,
My Deepest Sympathy. Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers.
~ Fawna Geigle Sturgis, SD (6/25/2024)

We spent a lot of time with our first cousins Myron, Marv, and Laine as we grew up- at school, family visits, and with our grandparents. There was a lot of hard work that we all shared on the ranches. Those are the memories I hold dear. My heartfelt condolensces to Mary, Mary, Monty, and Misty during this sad time. Myron will be missed.
~ Marcia Williams Lincoln Nebraska (6/27/2024)

Joe and I both just loved Myron for the human being he was. Such a leader, kind and true. We are saddened by his passing, will miss him dearly but are so far better to have known him, and call him friend. A South Dakota, and a Jackrabbit legend.
~ Kim Tyler Sioux Falls (6/25/2024)

Myron always made our family feel welcome whenever we visited. He was a good man and will be missed by us all.
~ Dean & Sondra Iverson Olympia, WA (6/26/2024)

Myron was always someone who made time to visit and always genuinely interested in where life had taken you. Great memories of him playing lead guitar and singing with the Patterson Brothers and brother Marv. Thoughts and prayers for Mary and the family. He will genuinely be missed by family and friends. Rest on high Myron!
~ Bill Hamm Olathe, Colorado (6/26/2024)