David C. Williams

Retired U.S. Army Col. David C. Williams, 93, of Salida died July 20, 2024, at his home. A lifelong area resident, he was born Aug. 2, 1930, to Van and Agnes Williams. He was raised in Wellsville and graduated from the Wellsville grade school in 1944 and Salida High School in 1948. He started a contracting business when he was only 13 years old and devoted his time to that business until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952 during the Korean War. He was inducted into the Army at Camp Crowder, Missouri, and went on to Fort Knox for basic and Officer Candidate Leadership School and then served the rest of his draft obligation. Returning to Salida following his tour of duty, he resumed his contracting and paint business until retirement. He married Jacque Lotshaw Feb. 15, 1960, in Salida. An honorable discharge from the U.S. Army didn't mean the end of his service to his country. He went into the local reserve unit, 451st Engineering Company, serving as the supply sergeant, and then joined the Colorado National Guard, where he earned a commission as a second lieutenant and assumed command of the unit in Alamosa and ultimately served as battalion commanding officer and in various staff positions. He attended several military colleges, ending his service as a full colonel, assigned as G3 director of operations and training, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson. During his military career he earned a number of medals, the most prestigious being the Colorado Meritorious Service Medal and the United States Meritorious Service Medal. He was always active with family, friends and in the community and found time to build his own house, be commander of American Legion Post No. 64 for 10 years and be a square dance caller and instructor for more than 30 years. He loved the outdoors, and his favorite activities were fishing, hunting, snowmobiling and walking his little Chihuahua dogs, Tico and Tia. He received the Lord in the First Baptist Church in 1959 and became active, serving more than 10 years on the church board of First Baptist Church. Later, he became a member of a church in Howard and again served on the church board. He was very motivated by the Rev. Billy Graham and was certified as a counselor, serving at two crusades, singing in the Billy Graham choir, and he was always ready to share the word with those who would listen. He was preceded in death by his father, William Van Williams Sr.; mother, Agnes (Candow) Williams; and brother, William Van Williams, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Jacque; sister, Barbara (Doug) Allender of Salida; and several cousins. Funeral Services are set for 1:00 PM Monday January 29, 2024 at Lewis and Glenn Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place in Memphis, Tennessee, or online, or to Ark-Valley Humane Society, P.O. Box 1335 in Buena Vista. Arrangements are with Lewis and Glenn Funeral Home in Salida.
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