J. David Williams

Longtime Ipswich banker, J. David Williams, 73, died Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at his residence in Ipswich.     

Honoring Dave's wishes, closed casket visitation was held Sunday, September 13 at Gramm Funeral Home in Ipswich. A private funeral service was held and burial was in the Ipswich City Cemetery.

John David Williams was born May 20, 1947 at Ipswich to Edwin and Neva (Middlewood) Williams. He graduated from Ipswich High School and attended South Dakota State University where he attained a degree in Biology.

Dave returned to Ipswich and worked for the bank in Leola before joining the Ipswich State Bank. He worked for 37 years at Ipswich State Bank, most recently serving as the banks president. While he had retired in June of this year, Dave really never left the bank and continued to put on his suit and tie and head to the bank in a consultant role. His quiet and professional approach made his mark in the entire community he served.

Dave married Kristeen Sazama on August 10, 1990 in Rapid City. They made their home in Ipswich. Together, they shared in Dave's love of nature, friends and family. He was able to find peace at the end of the day with time spent watching, tracking and documenting birds in the area. He enjoyed time spent with his close knit group of friends whether on the golf course, hunting, fishing or just gathering together for conversation and sharing his observational humor. He absolutely adored and loved time spent with his grandchildren.

Dave quietly served his community in many ways and was a long-time board member and current president of the Valley Telecommunications Board of Directors, served on the board of the Ipswich Area Foundation, was a member of the Ipswich UCC Church, and was a member and past president of the South Dakota Ornithologists' Union.

Thankful for having shared in his life are his wife, Kristeen, of Ipswich; children, Jamie (Kelly) Stiles of Ipswich and Travis (Cody) Sutton of Phoenix, Ariz .; sister, Joetta Williams of Denver, Colo .; and five grandchildren, Jaydin, Jace, and Jayla May Stiles of Ipswich and Zoey and Mila Sutton of Phoenix, Ariz.

Arrangements with Gramm Funeral Home. Share condolences for his family at grammfuneral home.com .