March 7, 1957 - February 25, 2026
Richard Albert Williamson was born in Sturgis, S.D., on March 7, 1957, to Richard and Doris I. (Oedekoven) Williamson. On February 25, 2026, after several weeks of illness, he was called home to be with to be with the Lord.
Richard spent his younger childhood growing up on his parents’ ranch 50 miles east of Sturgis. He attended a one room schoolhouse with 12 other kids of various ages.
Life on the ranch was something he enjoyed, but when he was around 12 years old, his family moved to Hot Springs, South Dakota, where he graduated from high school in 1975.
After graduation, Richard moved to Newcastle, Wyo., and began a 46 year career with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. In the early days, he would sometimes go to Alliance, Neb., for railroad business. It was there that he first met his future wife, Jody Toedtli, who was a clerk in the Superintendent’s Office. In 1981 they were married and shared 20 years together in Newcastle. He was promoted and transferred to BNSF Headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas in 2001, where they shared 25 years together before illness overcame him.
While in Newcastle, Richard was active in Lions Club and enjoyed golfing. Richard was an active member at First United Methodist Church (Newcastle) and Lighthouse Fellowship (Fort Worth). The last few years, he also helped lead a ministry (Free Space) at Town and Country Bingo Hall along with his wife, Jody. People often described Richard as strong, smart, caring and steady. He was dependable, compassionate, kind and had a unique sense of humor. He was a skilled self-taught handyman. Most of all he loved and served the Lord Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He will be greatly missed Survivors include his wife, Jody Williamson; three sisters, Norma Wright, Pat (Dick) Salmon, and Joyce (Ron) Karlsten; mother-in-law, Kathie Toedtl; brother-in-law, Chris Toedtli; sister-in-law, Dana (Dan) Fredrick; and uncle, Rod Parker.
Preceding Richard in death was his father, and mother; sisters, Sandra and Nancy Williamson; father-in-law, Marvin Toedtli; brothers-in-law, Bill Wright and Pat Toedtil; and sisterin- law, Janet Toedtli. He is survived and preceded in death by many aunts, uncles and cousins on both sides of the family.
Celebrations of Life are being planned in Fort Worth, Alliance, Neb. and Sturgis, S.D.