Published in the Tribune, February 2, 1928

FORMER PASTOR DIES

FUNERAL OF REV. WILLIAMS HELD AT ARLINGTON SUNDAY

The late Rev. Frank Williams, former pastor of the Methodist church at Arlington, who died in Benson last Thursday, was buried Sunday afternoon at three o’clock. Services were held at the Arlington church where he served as pastor for five years. An earlier service had been held at the Methodist church in Benson.

Mr. Williams started his ministerial career in the same Benson church where he ended his ministry, preaching his first and last sermons in the same edifice.

The Arlington church was filled with friends who came to pay their last respects to the deceased, and floral tributes were profuse.

While pastor in the Arlington church, Mr. Williams was actively identified with all community affairs, and his transfer from that field last September was viewed with the deepest regret. Prior to coming to Arlington he was pastor at Allen, Royal and Wakefield.

Mr. Williams is survived by his wife; one daughter, Mrs. George Heaton of Council Bluffs; one sister, Miss Mary Williams of Benson; and one brother, Samuel Williams of England. Burial was made in the Arlington cemetery.

# 2 - - from Blair Pilot, February 1, 1928

REV. FRANK WILLIAMS

The entire community was greatly shocked Thursday afternoon, Jan. 26th, when the word reached Arlington that Rev. Frank Williams, formerly of this place, had passed away a short time previous at his home in Benson.

Mr. Wiliams had been ill earlier in the month, but had so far recovered that he occupied his pulpit Jan. 22nd. He had seemed as usual that day, had eaten his dinner and had gone to his room to rest awhile. A short time later his wife found him lying across his bed with life extinct.

Funeral services were conducted at the Benson church at 1 o’clock Sunday afternoon, January 29th and at Arlington M.E. church at 3 o’clock. Long before the hour set for the service, the church became filled with friends who were anxious to show their love and respect for the departed friend; during his ministry in Arlington that was what he strove to be to one and all.

By the time the funeral party arrived the church was jammed clear to the doors with people standing. There were a number who remained outside and still others in the basement.

Members of the Benson choir sang sweet songs of comfort. The honorary and active pall bearers were brother ministers of Omaha and elsewhere, Rev. Pfontz of Fremont offered prayer and the sermon was delivered by Rev. Arthur Atack of Indianola, Ia., a close friend for many years.

The beautiful and profuse floral offerings and the sincere words of appreciation spoken by Dr. Wilson and Rev. Atack showed in some measure the esteem in which Rev. Mr. Williams was held. The burial took place in the Arlington cemetery and the beautiful and impressive Masonic burial service was held at the grave site.

Rev. Mr. Williams was also a member of the Odd Fellows lodge of Arlington and a large delegation of Odd Fellows attending the service from Fremont. He was also an honored member of the Eastern Star and Rebekah lodges.

Frank Williams was born in Manchester, England, February 18, 1870. He early learned to work as his mother was a widow with four children and all helped in the support of the family. At an early age he became active in church and mission work, later dedicating his whole life to the Master’s service.

He was married in 1899 and to this union two children were born, Frank, who died in infancy and Edith, now Mrs. George Heaton, of Council Bluffs, Iowa.

The family came to America in the fall of 1912, when Rev. Williams became a member of the Nebraska conference, his first charge being at Royal. Then he served at Wakefield and Allen. While at Allen, Mrs. Williams passed away in 1920 after an illness of several months.

In 1922 Rev. Williams came with his daughter Edith and sister Miss Mary to serve the church at Arlington which he did faithfully and well for five years.

On Sept. 19th, 1927 he was united in marriage to Wilma J. Couffer of Arlington, at Columbus. They attended conference in Omaha that same week and were assigned to Benson where they were doing excellent work when he was called “home.”

Besides his wife, his daughter and sister Mary and a brother in England are the only immediate relatives. He leaves hosts of friends who will always remember the inspiration of his life of loyalty and service to others.