This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Williams, Blaisdell, Ward Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Qg.2ADE/203 Message Board Post: Idaho State Journal, 11/03/01 POCATELLO — D.T. "Sod" Williams, 79, died Thursday, November 1, 2001, in Pocatello. He was born to Ed G. and Martha Blaisdell Williams and was raised in the small community of Malad, Idaho, where he acquired the nickname "Sod" from a high school coach. A graduate of Malad High School, there he fell in love with the love of his life — Nelda Ward. They were married on January 1, 1942, and have spent nearly 60 years together. Over those 60 years they were never separated except during World War II, when Sod served as a rifleman replacement in the European Theater of Operations. After he returned home from the war, he worked for the Arbon family prior to obtaining his own ranch in the Arbon Valley. There he and Nelda worked hard and raised their two sons, Barry (Valorie) Williams (Arbon) and Brad Williams (Yucaipa, California). Sod carried the mail in Arbon for 31 years, which he delivered many times on horseback due to the bad winters in Arbon Valley. In addition to the mail route, he and Nelda worked to build a ranch with outstanding quarter horses and Simmental cattle. Over the years, Sod was very active in several organizations — Intermountain Quarter Horse Association, serving as a board member for over a decade; Idaho Cowboys Association, which he helped organize; Idaho Simmental Association, which he helped charter; served on the Bureau of Land Management advisory board; served as an advisor to the Idaho 4th District and State High School Rodeo Associations; served on the Power County Fair Board; served on the Power County Planning and Zoning Board; and he served for several years on the Arbon School Board. After he retired from the mail route and turned the ranch over to his son Barry, he and Nelda spent their time enjoying each other and their family. They both enjoyed hunting, fishing, pack trips, snowmobiling and spent most of their later years following their grandchildren’s and great-grandchildrens' many activities. Sod got the greatest enjoyment from his grandkids and great-grandkids, and he was always there to lend them a hand and give them advice. Survivors, in addition to his widow and two sons, include his sisters, Faye (Earl) Caldwell and June (Joe) Jones, his brother, Dee (Pearl) Williams, all of Malad, Idaho and Leon (June) Williams, Mackay, Idaho; his grandchildren, Travis (Heather) Williams, Gooding, Idaho, Justin (Melanie) Williams, Chesterfield, Idaho, Jason (De) Williams, Arbon, Idaho, Tina (Jared) Simpson, Kamas, Utah, Trevor Williams, Arbon, Idaho, April Williams, Ventura, California, Kaylene Collins, Pocatello, Idaho; and eight great-grandchildren, Cheyanne, Taylor, Caleb, Chance, Wyatt, Wacey, Sadie, and Shawnee. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Perce, Claude, and Glen Williams and one grandson, Jody Williams. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, November 5 at the Pocatello Stake Center on 855 Grant Avenue. Burial will follow at the Arbon Cemetery. Family and friends may visit Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 So. Fourth Avenue, Sunday, November 4 from 5 p.m. to 8 pm. Donations can be made to the American Legion, Ernest W. Jones Post No. 65, c/o Dale Thomas, 2030 North 3100 West, Malad, Idaho 83252. Arrangements are under the direction of