James Leonard Williams
December 17, 1963 ~ August 15, 2025
James L. Williams, 61, Brandon, SD, passed away due to health complications on August 15, 2025, at Good Samaritan Society in Sioux Falls, SD.
A Memorial Service will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, October 17, 2025, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 400 S. Chestnut Blvd., Brandon.
James Miyagi Williams was born on December 17, 1963, in Okinawa, Japan. He was adopted by Archie R. and Sumiko (Saito) Williams when he was 9 days old. The family remained in Japan where his father was in the U.S. Army, until his retirement in 1967. The family lived in New York and New Jersey until finally settling down in Opalocka, Florida. James’ name was then changed to James Leonard Williams.
James was active in music and graduated with both band and academic honors from Miami Carol City Senior High School in 1981. He was very proud to become a United States Citizen at age 17 and remained very patriotic throughout his life. Independence Day was always his favorite holiday. After graduation he attended Florida State University in Tallahassee, where he majored in Political Science and played saxophone as a member of the Florida State University Marching Chiefs.
While in college, James joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and went on to serve a full-time mission in the Ohio-Cleveland Mission. After his mission, he returned to Tallahassee and married Kara L. Urquhart. The couple had one child, daughter, Meredith.
After living in Miami for a few years, the family moved to South Dakota where James attended Southeast Technical Institute and Colorado Technical University. He worked for Gateway 2000 and other technology-related jobs for many years before his retirement due to disability. He continued to serve in his church callings, and he remained proud of his United States Citizenship and Japanese heritage. He also loved and followed everything about Florida State University.
James is survived by his daughter, Meredith L. Williams, of Idaho Falls, ID.
James was preceded in death by his father, Archie Rudolphers Williams; and his mother, Sumiko Saito Williams.
Ways to honor the memory of James Miyagi Leonard Williams: Eat Japanese food, he loved sushi and hibachi. Listen to Florida State University Marching Chiefs or watch FSU Football. Listen to jazz music and enjoy musicals. Watch old Japanese monster movies or TV shows dubbed into English, Think of him during any patriotic display or event. He was especially proud to be a US Citizen.
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