Arlin Robert Williams was born March 6, 1955 in Akron to Cecil Charles Williams and Eileen June (Steele) Williams. Arlin spent all his growing up years in Cope.
He played Little League and Babe Ruth baseball, being coached by his dad. He was involved in 4-H, showing hogs, and FFA with his steer.
In high school, he was a member of the Honor Society, football and wrestling, earning a wrestling scholarship to Rangely and making the team. He also took flying lessons at that time.
He cut his college short by joining the Marines. While still in the reserves, he started driving truck for Gary Allen and “Weekend Warrior” became his handle. After a truck accident, he vowed to never drive a semi again. He worked at the uranium mines in Wyoming until they closed, and not wanting to transfer to Utah, he came back to Colorado to work.
On March 23, 1985, Arlin married Krista Karol Lovell of Yuma. To this union were born, Talon Lee and Kylyn Krista.
He worked a variety of jobs over the years. Getty, Bartlett, Foxley, etc. Each job was a challenge to him, but when the challenge was complete, he moved on to something different.
While employed at Peru State, he completed his Bachelor’s Degree, graduating on the same day as both of his children, before going on to complete his Master’s Degree. When asked why he wanted to this, a typical Arlin response was, “Because I could”.
He was an avid reader, a NASCAR fan, and that he enjoyed telling stories of his latest trucking adventures, whether they wanted to hear or not. He was content to catch up on golf (the TV kind), or the latest Space X adventures on his days off. He loved being a “Pa” and didn’t go anywhere without his Pepsi. But one might not know that he loved to sing and play the guitar, was fiercely competitive, and enjoyed threatening teenage boys with having to watch “Pure Country”. As a man, Arlin was a devoted, loving husband, father and grandpa. He enjoyed a different type of harvest, courtesy of his garden and considered himself a tomato expert. His days were still full of antics, but he learned to avoid trouble by always informing his wife.
Arlin unexpectedly passed away August 4, 2021, in Kansas City, KS, doing what he loved, driving truck for M&T Trucking of Bartlett, IA.
Arlin was preceded in death by his father, Cecil and brother Kevin.
He is survived by his wife, Krista of Syracuse, NE; son, Talon and wife Rachel Witthoft of Madison, WI; daughter, Kylyn and husband Chris Rush of Tabor, IA; grandchildren Kwynn and Cooper Rush; mother, June Williams and Roy Hill; sister, Susan Perkins and husband Jim of Cope, CO and brother, Deron Williams and wife Penny of Spring Creek, NV.; along with numerous other relatives and friends.
A celebration with the family was held on Aug. 9, 2021 In Tabor, IA. A memorial and military service with inurnment was held Sept. 4, 2021 at the Cope Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers: Arickaree football and wrestling teammates. All memorials will be given in Arlin’s name to the Lakin Library and Envisioning Center in Tabor, IA.
2021-09-16