Roger Wayne Williams

Roger Wayne Williams was born on July 2, 1942, in Miles City, Montana. He was the firstborn of Orrie V. and Margaret L. Williams, followed by his brother Alan a few years later. He graduated from Custer County High School and attended Rocky Mountain College for a short time.

My dad served our country in the Air Force as an electrician and was deployed to Vietnam. This is one of the first things I can think of that defined Dad’s role as a humble servant. He did not talk about his service often, never used the VA or felt like he was owed anything. He would share some stories and didn’t overplay his role in the service. He might say, if asked what Vietnam was like, “Well, we would build a building and the next day it was blown up. Then, we would go and build it again.” He was honorably discharged and returned home.

My dad was set up with my mom, Ellen, by mutual friends, and they married on June 28, 1970. They made their home in Red Lodge and worked in the then groundbreaking cable TV industry. They desired to have children of their own and when that was not possible, after three years of waiting, they adopted a baby girl. I am forever grateful to my parents for giving me a loving home and showing me what sacrificial love looked like. When my mom was diagnosed with cancer for the second time in 2006, my dad quietly and selflessly cared for her in their home until her passing in 2007.

In 1989 my parents moved to Billings after purchasing Father Abraham’s Christian Bookstore. After they closed the bookstore, they both worked at Acorn RV and Mini Storage which eventually became A+ RV and Mini Storage. Several years later, they were able to purchase a share of the business and faithfully worked it until 2005. Many couples say they could never imagine working side-by-side with their spouse, but my parents did it their entire marriage and were better for it. Their examples of hard work and perseverance are a legacy in our lives.

If you knew my dad, you knew he was an early riser and had a sense of humor drier than the Sahara. I remember him shortsheeting the bed when I had a friend sleep over. Later, when he found out we were sneaking out of the house, he nailed the windows shut without one word. He especially loved sharing his sense of humor with the employees of the restaurant he drank coffee at daily. In Red Lodge, it was PD McKinney’s. When he moved to Billings, it was 4B’s. After 4B’s closed, he and his raucous coffee buddies moved to Denny’s. He cared for the servers, cooks and managers and was the first one in the door at 6 a.m. when they opened. I think getting up, getting dressed and going for coffee gave him purpose, and our family is grateful to every single the employee at Denny’s for investing in him.

Papa Roger loved his grandchildren Grace, Nora and Finn. While he was unable to attend their activities these past few years, he enjoyed seeing the kids and hearing about what they were up to. He especially loved following Grace and her volleyball career in the newspaper and kept the articles where she was mentioned. Papa was not a man of many words, but he showed his love with smiles, the best birthday cards ever, and subtle teary eyes when something the grandkids said or did touched his heart. My dad also had an especially large soft spot for his son-in-law Steve and enjoyed sharing his tools and knowledge with him. People think I’m joking, but I’m pretty sure Dad loved Steve more than he loved me, and I am more than okay with that! Dad served our family well with his time and hard work and we are thankful that the memories of Papa will live on.

In 2015, a sweet woman named Lois saw Roger putzing around with his car from her apartment window. She thought he was pretty handsome and went out to talk with him. After a while, they decided they were very fond of one another and were married on March 19, 2016. Lois and my dad took great care of each other. When Lois had knee surgery, my dad quietly and joyfully served her while she recovered. Lois served him by cooking and providing a comfortable home for them to enjoy together. Without being asked, my dad built Lois bookshelves and planter boxes to serve her needs. Lois loved my dad, and we are blessed by her and her loving daughters Deb (Rod) and Darla (Tom). Lois, Deb and Darla were by my dad’s side in his last days and I’m certain he is grateful for that.

My dad’s health had been declining for some time.  The things that kept him going — driving around, building things, organizing, putzing, eventually became too much for him to do. He needed a leg amputation if he had hopes at a longer life and, true to form, refused. In his last week of life, we learned he had had a heart attack “recently,” but he never had any symptoms that anyone knew of. He passed quietly on the morning of Sept. 1, 2022, at the RiverStone Hospice House. That morning, God provided a beautiful sunrise. I can’t help but wonder if my dad enjoyed sunrises, as he was always up and moving before the sun.

Roger is survived by his daughter, Kari Zeier (husband Steve, grandkids Grace, Nora and Finn); his brother, Alan (wife Nancy, children Carlyn and Jamie); wife Lois; stepdaughters Deb (husband Rod and children) and Darla (husband Tom and children); and several cousins.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ellen, in-laws, and several aunts and uncles.

Thank you to the staff at Denny’s — your care for Roger has left an impact on Dad’s life and we are grateful for you. 

Billings Clinic — the emergency room staff, the physicians, nurses, CNAs and aides, your care for my dad was a gift. Thank you for doing everything you could to make him comfortable. 

To the staff at RiverStone Hospice House — thank you for the care you gave my dad in his last two days on earth. The peace we, his family, had knowing all of you genuinely cared for his comfort while treating him with absolute dignity and honor was a gift to him and to us. Thank you isn’t enough, but it’s all we’ve got.

Cremation has taken place. Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, with a reception following at Denny’s. Burial with military honors will take place at Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park.

Memorials can be made to RiverStone Hospice House, 2230 Mission Way, Billings, MT 59102.

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