Reverend Father Thomas Edward Williams

Very Reverend Thomas Edward Williams, the priest at St. John the Theologian Orthodox Mission, Rapid City, died of cancer on March 12, 2015. Among the many persons whose lives he touched, especially among his fellow clergy, Father Thomas is remembered as a kind and humble man of integrity, patience, and acceptance. He was a gentle and loving parish priest, husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law, friend, and co-worker. Even as his health declined he maintained his keen interest in history, theology, philosophy and baseball and kept his sense of humor. He loved nothing more than being a priest. May his memory be eternal! He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Jody, and their son Christopher Edward and his wife Hillary Bleecker and their son Shepard Kent of Los Angeles, CA. He also leaves behind his sister Elizabeth Volz, New Jersey; sisters-in-law Marylou Benjamin, Cincinnati, OH; Jane Conrad, Anamosa, Iowa; Kathleen Novy (husband Jim), Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews. Father Thomas was preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Winifred Williams, New York; a niece, Erin Dery, and brother-in-law John Volz, New Jersey; and two brothers-in-law from Iowa: Anthony DeSousa and Allen Conrad. Father Thomas was born in New York City in 1941 and grew up in the Bronx, attending Catholic schools there and in Manhattan. At age 15, he entered the Catholic minor seminary of the Society of St. Louis de Montfort to study for the priesthood. He was ordained in the 1960s, taught in Catholic high schools, and worked in parishes in New York. He also earned a master’s degree from the University of Notre Dame. In 1968, Father Thomas left the Catholic priesthood to marry Josephine (Jody) Niles, who had been a member of the Sisters of Mercy, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for 11 years. Their son Christopher Edward was born in 1970. Father Thomas worked for 20 years at newspapers in South Bend, Indiana; St. Louis, Missouri; and Washington, DC. He then began a corporate communications career for McDonnell Douglas Corporation (now Boeing) and for the Wal-Mart headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas. Over the years he also taught journalism at St. Mary’s College and Indiana University, South Bend, Indiana; Southern Illinois University, Carbondale and Edwardsville; and Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri. While living in Northwest Arkansas, Father Thomas and his wife were received into the Eastern Orthodox Church. He completed the St. Stephen’s Program, a seminary program of the Orthodox Church, and was ordained a Deacon by Bishop BASIL in October 2005 at St. Elijah Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. As Deacon he served at his home parish of St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, Springdale, Arkansas. In February 2006, Deacon Thomas and Jody retired to Rapid City and began serving at St. John the Theologian Orthodox Mission. During this time Father Thomas also completed a master’s degree in Orthodox Theology from the University of Balamand, Lebanon. Later that year, the St. John parishioners asked Bishop BASIL to ordain Deacon Thomas a priest and serve at St. John’s. The ordination was held on February 4, 2007, at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral, Wichita, Kansas. Family members as well as parishioners from St. John and from his former church, St. Nicholas, attended the ceremony. Father Thomas was elevated to Archpriest by Bishop BASIL in February 2013. St. John grew as Father Thomas instructed inquirers and baptized and received into the Orthodox faith many children and adults. He led by example in his weekly sermons. As his health declined and he was unable to enjoy the meal prepared by parishioners after the Sunday service, he especially cherished the children and their hugs as he left the church. Until health problems prevented him, Father Thomas volunteered as a night chaplain at Rapid City Regional Hospital, ministering to many who were sick and dying and also to their families and the hospital staff. Among the memorable events during his years at St. John was the “Eat Like a Greek Food Feast” that was held for the first time in 2006 and with only two exceptions has been held every year since. Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements and condolences may be conveyed to the family at behrenswilson.com. Burial will be at Mountain View Cemetery. May his memory be eternal!