Dale Williams Brakeman, Conductor, Switchman, Switch Foreman RIP in Tales of the Jointed Track

I was taking my youngest home after his shift ended. My cell rang. HMMM Billy, somethings up. “Yeah Bill, what’s up?” “Hey, just found out that Dale Williams passed away, this morning”. “Really, any news on the funeral or?” “No, still pending”.

Dale had problems, during my last few years, working the Extra board in the Pueblo yard. I went troubleshooting, but still kept in contact, and one of the people I worked with was close with him, as well. He went in for treatment, and the drugs, etc, caused other problems. He started losing balance, and numbness in the feet and legs. My last year of troubleshooting at Big Lift, I was told he is in and out of a wheelchair. The last year of his life he was confined to that. He took a disability, shortly after. The BNSF Powder River mag, I still receive, said he retired a year ago.

I worked with Dale, on the old Joint-Line, when he was a brakeman and a Conductor. When he, could hold the yard in Pueblo, he went back switching.

I worked with him on the Hill-cut, and the 102 jobs. He also took the Comanche Jobs unloading at the utility. He was a great rail.

Sad fact too I worked with his dad, off and on when I was forced assigned into Pueblo yard, in 1974 and times off the pool. His dad is still alive. He has to be late 80’s early 90’s.

I will head for Pueblo, again today. It’s not for the 1530 pm 201 yard job, or a yard extra, or unloading a Comanche. It’s for the funeral, and the least I can do.

Below is a modified, obituary … Rest in Peace old friend..A pleasure working with you and knowing you.

Dale Williams, 63, passed away March 23, 2015. He is survived by his wife,
and additional special friends. Dale was employed by the Santa Fe Railroad for 37 years and was an active member of the United Transportation Union. He enjoyed working with his hands and numerous outdoor activities: gardening, landscaping, fishing and hunting just to name a few. A Celebration of Life Open House, 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 26, 2015, Under the direction of George McCarthy Funeral Home.