Col. Victor McWilliams

Col. Victor J. "Mac" McWilliams, 93, died May 2, 2008 in Bismarck peacefully at home with his family. Services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday May 9 at Church of the Ascension, Bismarck with Rev. Marvin Klemmer officiating. Burial will be at the North Dakota Veteran's Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 2:00 PM until 9:00 PM Wednesday, May 7 and from 9:00 AM until 9:00 PM Thursday, May 8 at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck. A vigil will be held at 7:00 PM Thursday at Eastgate Funeral Service. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church. Victor was born February 19, 1915, in Edgeley, ND, the son of James and Mary McWilliams who farmed north of Berlin, ND, until the Depression years when they moved to Jamestown where he graduated from Jamestown High School. Victor joined the ND National Guard in 1937 with the 185th Field Artillery. He entered active Army service in 1941 as a Sergeant and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in September of 1941. In the fall of 1943, Capt. McWilliams was assigned as Commanding Officer of Battery C of the 957th Field Artillery and on his way to England to "Something Big" as he said. Victor served in the European Theatre until 1945. After WWII, he was assigned to the 2nd Division at Fort Sill, OK, and then to Ft. Lewis, WA. In 1947, he returned to the ND National Guard and was assigned as Supervisor of the Combined Field Maintenance Shop at Camp Grafton. He served in this position until July of 1951, when he was ordered again to active duty with the Climatic Test Division, Aberdeen Proving grounds in Maryland. In 1952, he was transferred to Fort Churchill, Canada to conduct tests on all types of ordinance equipment. He served with distinction and dedication in this assignment until he was released from active duty in 1953. He was then reappointed Supervisor of the Combined Maintenance Shop and Camp Superintendent of Camp Grafton and also promoted to the rank of Major. He served in this position until October 1963 with an outstanding record as evidence by numerous annual inspections, superior ratings and was promoted to Lt. Colonel in August 1963, and was assigned as the United States Property and Fiscal Officer for the state of ND Army and Air Guard. With promotion in 1969 to Full Colonel and serving at this assignment until his separation and retirement in the fall of 1975. Colonel McWilliams made the National Guard an integral and important part of his entire life. In his years of service, Col. Mac was decorated many times, to include; The Silver Star for gallantry in action, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European Campaign with Five Battle stars, most notable the Normandy Invasion and the "Battle of the Bulge," The Victory Medal, Army of Occupation medal, National Defense Service Medal, and The Armed Forces Reserve Medal. In his after war years, as U.S.P.F.O for ND Guard and Air Guard, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Bronze Oak Leaves, Meritorious Service Medal in 1969. Upon his retirement and after 38 years of service, he was presented by then, Gov. Art Link and Major General Emerson Murry the Distinguished Service Medal for his achievements and service rendered to his state and nation. One of Mac's highlights of his military career was when he was appointed as the military aide to then Governor William and Jean Guy at the 1961 inauguration of President John F. Kennedy. While stationed at Camp Grafton, Mac met and married Theresa "Toby" J. Burckhard in Devils Lake July 7, 1949, and made their home at Camp Grafton until 1963. After his retirement, "Mac" and "Toby" built a home south of Bismarck where he enjoyed his flowers, gardening, and spending time with his family and grandchildren. He also enjoyed traveling, and every fall was spent at his son Victor's winery at the annual wine harvest. He and "Toby" spent the last eighteen winters in Mesa, AZ. Victor was a member of the American Legion, VFW, the Fourth Degree with the Knights of Columbus, and the Elks. Victor is survived by his wife, Theresa; one daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Burton Pfliger of Bismarck; three sons, Alan McWilliams of Bismarck, Victor McWilliams of Sonoma, CA, and James McWilliams of Bismarck; one sister and brother-in-law, Paul and Delphine Burket of San Francisco, CA; one sister-in-law, Barb McWilliams of Pleasanton, CA; grandchildren, Jenny Jeb Delzer, Wesley Rivinius, McKala Nic Nehring, Jamie Crystal Stephan, and Jessie Stephan; great-grandchildren, Ali, Alex, Macie, Kyler, and Kaylan Delzer, Ryker John Rivinius Landers, Alex, Marshall Stephan, and Hannah Stephan; and many nieces and nephews. Victor was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Wallace and Jack McWilliams; one sister, Lorretta Rausch; and one great-grandchild, Lillian Delzer. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the North Dakota Veteran's Cemetery and St. Alexius Hospice. The family would like to give a special thanks to St. Alexius Hospice and Visiting Angels.

Col. Victor McWilliams

February 19, 1915 - May 2, 2008