teve Williams of Sturgis was a bit of an adventurer. He was a scuba diver, pilot, avid hunter and fisherman, had backpacked all but the last nine miles of the Centennial Trail, and climbed six, 14,000-foot peaks in Colorado, most of those with his sons. Steve also had a great love of music and enjoyed singing and playing his guitar.

Steve L. Williams died of cancer at home surrounded by his family, on Thursday, April 3, 2008. He was 58 years old.

Steve was born January 16, 1950, in Alamogordo, N.M., to Frank and Gwen Williams. He graduated from T. F. Riggs High School in Pierre in 1968.

On May 9, 1970, he married his high school sweetheart, Kay (Kayleen) Barge.

He served as a medic in the U.S. Air Force from 1969 until his honorable discharge in 1971 and was one of the first Emergency Medical Technicians in South Dakota as well as the first president of the S.D. EMT Association. He worked as a paramedic in Flandreau, and later owned the ambulance service in Pierre.

Over the years, one of the things Steve enjoyed was passing along his medical knowledge by being active in teaching community CPR and self-help, and being a military anti-shock garment instructor.

Steve attended the George Washington University Physician Assistant Program, graduating in 1981. After graduation, he served first in a rural clinic in Herreid and then at a clinic in Mobridge. In 1986, he moved his family to Sturgis where he worked as a physician assistant at the Ft. Meade VA Hospital until his retirement in 2006.

In May of 2000, he graduated from the University of South Dakota with his Masters Degree in Healthcare Administration. He was a PA Foundation Leadership Fellow and served as president of the South Dakota Academy of Physician Assistants.

Steve was a member of the Foothills Community Church. He served on the Meade County School Board for two terms and performed in two plays in Sturgis, "Teahouse of the August Moon" and "Cliffhanger."

Since his retirement, Steve had become what he had always dreamed of being, a cowboy, and was currently raising cattle on a friend's ranch.

The greatest joy in Steve's life was his kids and grandkids. He was truly blessed with kids who enjoyed his company as much as he enjoyed theirs.

Funeral services were held on Monday, April 7, 2008, at the First Wesleyan Church in Sturgis with Rev. Louis Hill officiating.

Burial with military honors provided by the Sturgis Veteran's Honor Guard followed at Black Hills National Cemetery.

Steve is survived by his wife of 38 years, Kay Williams, Sturgis; daughter, Stephanie and her husband, Billy Phillips and their two children, Kaden and Kylee; son, Christopher Williams and his wife, Erin, and their son, Carson; son, Cory Williams and his girlfriend, Amanda Williamson, all of Sturgis; brothers, Mark and his wife, Lisa, Sturgis; Paul and his wife, Jacque, Gillette, Wyo.; sister, Lorna Williams, Pierre; his mother, Gwen Williams and mother-in-law, Vivian Barge, both of Pierre; his father-in-law, Terry Barge, Ft. Pierre; and numerous nieces, nephews, and his many, many friends and colleagues.

Steve was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Sara, and his dad, Frank Williams.