Orval Williams

ORVAL LESLIE WILLIAMS Sept 28, 1936 – February 4, 2015 Orval was born the 6th child of 12 to James Elzie Williams and Ethel Ruth Jordan on September 28, 1936 in Colby Kansas. Orval was an identical twin. His twin was Erban Lester Williams who preceded him in death. Orval’s father, James, died when Orval was only 9 years old. In high school Orval enjoyed wrestling and was a state champion in his senior year at Colby Community High School in Colby Kansas. He graduated from Colby Community High School in 1955. Orval started working at the early age of 13, washing dishes at Murphys Café in Colby, Kansas. He then went to work at Safeway Stores Inc. and was there for more than 40 years starting in 1956 as a Clerk and working his way up to Head Clerk and retiring in 1998. Orval met Elizabeth Maryann Haremza in 1957. The met through his brother, Erban and his wife, Lois. Their first date was at the local skating rink. Orval and Elizabeth (Betty) married on July 28, 1958 and to this union were born 3 children. Darrell Leslie born Apr 24, 1959 and died April 17, 1989, Connie Denise born April 21, 1961 and Duane Lynn born September 5, 1963. They lived in Goodland Kansas until Orval was transferred to Denver Colorado in 1965. They lived in various areas in the Denver metro area, including Green Mountain, Westminster and Northglenn. In 1968 they purchased their first home in Northglenn Colorado. Orval and Betty enjoyed Square Dancing for many years belonging to the Glenn Orbits Square Dance Club from 1976 until 1988. They also loved doing day trips into the mountains which would always include a picnic lunch and a dip in a stream by the children and a long, wet drive home. Orval enjoyed traveling to visit family members after his wife’s death in 2004. In August 2014 he had a heart attack which eventually led to his hospitalization in November 2014 and was then placed in hospice care until his death. Orval is preceded in death by his wife Betty, his son Darrell, his parents, 4 brothers- Clary Aldous, Oliver Jordan, Erban Lester and Leonard (Dutch) Alonzo, 1 sister- Mary Etta, and 3 half sisters- Ona Evelyn, Anna Elaine and Clara Bavea. Orval is survived by his daughter- Connie of San Tan Valley Arizona, son- Duane of Northglenn Colorado, 1 granddaughter- Crystal Anne Ferns (Steve) of San Tan Valley Arizona, 2 great grandchildren- Madalyn and Maxwell Ferns of San Tan Valley Arizona, 6 brothers and sisters; Joy Lorraine Williams of Goodland Kansas, Bethany Grace DeMaranville of Basehor Kansas, James Dean (Carol Fossett) of Bird City Kansas, Ruby Ruth Agan (Arleigh) of Liberal Kansas, Frances Elizabeth Sowers (Robert) of Gallup New Mexico and Edith (Edie) Idela Clair of Wichita Kansas, along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.