Daniel C. Williams

Daniel Craig Williams, 71, of Grand Forks, North Dakota, passed away on Monday, September 29, 2025, at Altru Hospital, surrounded by the love of his family.

Born on August 7, 1954, in Lewiston, Maine, to Albion and Katherine (Johnson) Williams, Dan was the spark of a vibrant family. On September 25, 1972, Dan answered the call to serve his country, enlisting in the Air Force. For over 23 years, he excelled, rising to the rank of Master Sergeant before his honorable discharge on March 1, 1996. His dedication to duty and his craft was a testament to his disciplined yet generous spirit.

On June 7, 1976, Dan married the love of his life, Karen Karner, in the picturesque town of Solvang, California. The couple’s Air Force life took them to bases across the country before they settled in Grand Forks, where they built a home filled with warmth and love.

Dan had a gift for making everyone feel welcome, whether through a shared laugh, a helping hand, or a kind word.

Dan’s passions were as vibrant as his personality. An avid fisherman, he found peace casting lines at Devils Lake and along the shores of Florida’s Gulf Coast in the winter months with his siblings. Above all, Dan’s greatest joy was his family, his pride in his son, Ben, and his deep bonds with his siblings, extended family, and friends.

Dan is survived by his beloved son, Ben (Savannah) Williams; his siblings, Kathleen Binette, Stephen (Paula) Williams, Kristine Steiner, and Alan (Leticia) Williams; nieces and nephews, Stephanie Gardner, Shanti Argue, Bobby Williams, Matthew Williams, and Michael Sullivan; and his “adopted daughter,” Sharley Kurtz. He was preceded in death by his devoted wife, Karen; his parents, Albion and Katherine; and his brothers-in-law, Michael Steiner and Roland Binette.

Dan’s life was a tapestry of service, love, and connection, woven with moments of joy that will live on in the hearts of those who knew him.

A family-directed Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, December 13th, beginning at 4:00 p.m. at the VFW Post 3817 in East Grand Forks, MN.