Rodney Lee Williams

Rodney Lee Williams spent his last days fighting with the love and support of those who loved him. He passed away peacefully on the evening of Monday, October 6th, 2025, in La Crosse, WI.

Rodney was born August 12th, 1958, in Winona, MN, to Charles Ellison Williams Sr and Charlotte Gertrude (Pomeroy) Willams. He had two older siblings, Charles Ellison Williams Jr and Delores Marie (Williams) Schweitzer. His Mother remarried to Allen F. Forhan in 1962 and following that union Rodney and his siblings gained three more siblings, Allen Franklin Forhan Jr, Millard Leroy Forhan and Archi Noel Forhan.

Rodney had a free spirit and did not care much for the educational system. He spent his life living paycheck to paycheck, holding little value in money. An extended gratitude to Cameron Zane, for seeing this and appreciating his skills and abilities. By trade Rodney was a roofer. By heart he was a warrior.

A shaping moment in Rodney’s life came on May 17th,1968. He awoke with an inferno surrounding him and being just ten years old he found his way through the flames to safety outside. When his older brother was not there Rodney fought his way back into the blazing house and woke his older brother telling him “I know my way through the flames”. His older brother eventually pushed him through a window just as a gas stove exploded. There was a lengthy, painful recovery for his brother, yet they both survived.

At the time his family lived in Baldwin, WI. The house burned down, there was no mention of how the fire started and his family moved away.

In the panic and confusion of all that happened Rodney was never praised for his heroism. Yet he continued to quietly help others throughout his life, asking for nothing in return.

Although he never started a family of his own, he was considered a second father by his nieces, nephews and many others. His quiet support and gentle soul will always be remembered by those he helped.

Rodney is preceded in death by his mother, Charlotte Gertrude (Pomeroy) Forhan; Father, Charles Ellison Willliams Sr; Stepfather, Allen F. Forhan; Sister, Delores Marie (Williams) Schweitzer; brother-in-law; Sister-in-law, Beth Forhan; Nephews, Tyler Forhan, Michael Forhan and his Sara.

Rodney leaves behind his significant other, Dana Smith; siblings, Charles (Wendi) E. Williams Jr, Allen (Deanna) F. Forhan, Millard (Dawn) F. Forhan and Archie (Beth) F. Forhan. Nieces and nephews, Charles Williams 3rd, Robert Williams, Casey (Willams) Sutter, Dusty Williams, Brent Williams, Candy Williams, Richard Schweitzer Jr, Katie Schweitzer, Kari Forhan, Justin Forhan, Alissa Forhan, Joshua Forhan, Timothy Forhan and Nicole (Forhan) Hoffman.

A Funeral Visitation will be held at Hoff Funeral Home in Winona, MN, on Saturday, October 18th, 2025, from 11:00am to 3:00pm, with service at 1:30pm.

A small reception will be held at The Bar, in Goodview, MN. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Hoff Celebration of Life Center is assisting the family.