BOULDER, Colo. — James Lane Williams, 91, of Boulder, Colo., died of natural causes on March 26, 2015, surrounded by his family. The son of Marie Steckel and J.O. Williams, he was born Nov. 27, 1923, in Ellinwood. His family lived in several towns in Oklahoma and Kansas before settling in Great Bend in 1937. He served in the United States Army during World War II and married Helen Thompson on March 25, 1944, while stationed in El Paso, Texas. He and Helen were married for 60 great years.
Jim graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 1948. The family, including two daughters, then moved to Kingsport, Tenn., where Jim was employed at Tennessee Eastman Company for 28 years. At TEC he did chemical design and project engineering on a variety of projects. While in Kingsport the family expanded to four children. After retirement he and Helen moved to Boulder in 1976.
Jim was an avid fly fisherman. One of his favorite fishing spots was in Wyoming and the extended family enjoyed many great camping trips in that area. He was also an avid stamp collector and active for many years in the Boulder Stamp Club.
He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Boulder, Colo., where he served as an elder. Jim was also a member of Tau Beta Pi and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. He enjoyed taking care of his family and will be greatly missed for his inner strength, humor and compassion.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; his parents; and one sister. He is survived by three daughters, Linda (Rick) Wittekind of Boulder, Colo., Nancy Rafeedie of Louisville, Colo., and Beth (Monte) Walker of Broomfield, Colo.; a son, David (Laurie) Williams of Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Virginia (Harry) Hozle of Topeka; and a brother, Fred (Anne) Williams of Longmont, Colo.
A private graveside service will be held at Mountain View Memorial Park in Boulder. A memorial service will be at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, at the First Presbyterian Church of Boulder with the Rev. John Hess officiating. A reception will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Boulder, 1820 15th St., Boulder, CO 80302 or to TRU Community Care, 2594 Trailridge Dr. East, Lafayette, CO 80026. Visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Ahlberg Funeral Chapel and Crematory**
326 Terry St.
Longmont, CO 80501
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, March 29, 2015