D. T. ‘Sod’ Williams

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 without-handing Quarter horses and Sim-mental 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; Bureau of Land Management advisory board; an advisor to the Idaho 4th District and State High School Rodeo Associations; Power County Fair Board; 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-grandchildren’s 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 two sisters and one brother, Faye (Earl) Caldwell, June (Joe) Jones and Dee (Pearl) Williams, all of Malad, Idaho; 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 Colins, 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 were held Mon-day, November 5, at the Pocatello Stake Center. Burial was in the Arbon Cemetery. Donations can be made to the American Legion, Ernest W. Jones, Post #65, C/O Dale Thomas, 2030 North 3100 West, Malad, Idaho 83252.