Kenneth Richard Williams

Kenneth Richard Williams, 91, passed away September 18, 2026, in Idaho Falls, Idaho under the loving care of Life Care Center of Idaho Falls.

He was born June 28, 1935, in Rigby, Idaho to William Bryan Williams from Blackfoot, Idaho (1897-1947) and Alice May Cromwell Williams from Vale, Oregon (1898-1983).

Ken was the 7th of 8 siblings - Opal Rebecca (Ronald) Bouler; Maxine Evans (Claude) Bright; Meshach Louis (Margaret) Williams; Dale (Ruby) Williams; Shirley (11 months 1928); Lloyd Ray (Mary) Willams and Alice May Williams (6 months 1939).

He is a Dad to Kevin, an adopted son, and the children of his late wife, VeLoy Winder Williams, Rodney (Christy) Bennett Tieken; Deb Bennett Tieken; Wayne Tieken; VeLoy Jeanne Tieken Briggs; Dea Tieken; Dia Tieken and Teresa Bybee Murray.

Ken, at the age of 16, decided to make bee-keeping his profession. After six years of hard work, he had built his single bee colony into a booming business with 54 hives.

At 22 years of age, he was drafted into the Army on September 3, 1957. He was sent to Germany in April 1958. He served as a track vehicle mechanic and was awarded Marksman (Rifle), Mechanical Badge and a Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged from active duty as a specialist fourth class on August 27, 1959.

Upon returning from the Army, he continued working with bees in California and Idaho. Other jobs he had included working with poultry in Brodath, Montana; painting cars; welding after traveling the roads from Mackay to Pocatello; welding at Thiokol Equipment after moving to Idaho Falls; and working as a finish carpenter in Island Park with Terry Peterson Construction. He always said his favorite job was working with the bees even after experiencing an adrenalin rush when a snake crossed his boots while working with the bees in the field.

His hobbies included: fishing; drawing; playing a game of solitaire; bowling; more fishing; camping; riding horses; more fishing and whistling. He also enjoyed designing his own wood cutouts of cowboys and cowgirls, Christmas decorations, trains, bird houses and anything else he wanted or was asked to make. His fun sense of humor lead him to always make up a new saying that followed the words of Roses are Red, Violets are Blue.

He and his wife VeLoy, who had been together for 38 years and married 33 of those years, enjoyed many of these hobbies together.

One of his favorite sayings he told at Life Care Center was, “Roses are Red, Violets are blue. God created Women so Men would know what to do!”

He kept his favorite hat to the end with the saying of, “Fishermen are born honest, but they get over it.”

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, all his siblings and his wife, VeLoy.

His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will continue to love and cherish the memories they shared with him.

Private family services will be held at a later date.