Floyd "Stuffy" Williams
Floyd Williams
Floyd Williams, father of Daily Racing Form trackman Dean Williams and grandfather of jockey Rob Williams was found dead in his home Tuesday afternoon, February 25th. The 93-year-old retired horseman was a familiar figure around Fonner Park, having lived the last twenty years in Grand Island.
Floyd "Stuffy" will be remembered as the son of the late C. Sid Williams, Sr. His father was an early day cowboy and homesteader who came west in 1886 or '87. His mother, Lilly Thomas was one of Sioux county's first school teachers. His mother and father preceded him in death in 1904 and 1938 respectively.
Floyd was born in Springfield, Missouri, October 3, 1902. He was married to Billie Carlson in 1924. She preceded him in death in 1984. Mr. Williams was a rodeo performer and a rancher in his youth in South Dakota and Wyoming before coming to Nebraska to own and train thoroughbreds. Primarily he raced horses in Nebraska, but had also campaigned in Arizona, Washington and Mexico.
Mr. Williams is also survived by a brother, Sidney of Hay Springs, Nebraska, half-brothers, Don of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Russell of Mesa, Arizona, a half-sister, Ila Mae Mullenix of Fresno, California, daughter Joan Thorson; five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Services were held at Livingston, at Sondermann Funeral Home in Grand Island February 28th.