General Information
Full Name: Dennis Earl McWilliams
Date of Birth: June 16, 1937
Date of Death: February 8, 2013
Denny’s life story
Denny McWilliams
Dennis Earl McWilliams was born on June 16, 1937 in Cleveland, Ohio to parents and Earl and Kathryn (Crosby) McWilliams. Around the age of 10, Denny and his family moved to Minneapolis. He has fond memories of he and his sister Jan, dancing, singing and performing. He also enjoyed ski jumping, fishing and driving his go-cart around the neighborhood. He later would drive his go-cart, on a competitive basis, in races around the upper Midwest. He was a graduate of Roosevelt high in Minneapolis.
He first started his career as a salesman for Homelite selling such things as chainsaws and go-carts. In the early 60’s, a friend brought him to Prior Lake and he fell in love with the land. His true entrepreneur spirit took off and he saw an opportunity to develop land. Oakland Beach, Sand Point, Island View additions I-IV, Creekwood addition, and Seven Acres to name just a few of the parcels he developed. He also enjoyed living on Prior Lake for 40 years.
When the kids were young, Denny and the family enjoyed boating, water skiing, snowmobiling, hockey, BMX racing, racquetball, long distance running and camping together. Denny enjoyed mountaineering and twice summited Mount Rainier in Washington. Another love was Corvette’s, as he owned a few over his lifetime. In his later years, he took a liking for nature, as he enjoyed looking at flowers, waterfalls and viewing the fall colors. Denny was a man of strong faith and belonged to the Church of St. Michael and the Prior Lake/Savage Knights of Columbus.
Known as an entrepreneur, strong willed and a family man, Denny passed away peacefully at the age of 75 at the Lodge on Natchez hospice in Elko on Friday, February 8, 2013.
Denny will be deeply missed by his children, Tim (Maggie) McWilliams of Prior Lake, Scot (Carrie) McWilliams of Prior Lake, Ted (Shelly) McWilliams of Prior Lake, Joe (Carly) McWilliams of Prior Lake, John (Mandy) McWilliams of New Prague; grandchildren, Meghan, Melissa, Amber, Jake, Jessie, Josie, Charlie, Hannah, Connor, Kylie; sister, Jan Ballard of Jordan.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Kathryn (Crosby) McWilliams.
Denny’s pall bearers will be his 5 sons.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 from 4:00-7:00 p.m., at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake and one hour prior to the mass at church.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 11:00 a.m., at the Church of St. Michael, 16311 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake. Denny will be laid to rest at Spirit Hill Cemetery, Jordan
The McWilliams family is served with honor, care and compassion by Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation Services, Prior Lake Chapel.
Visitation
When: Wednesday, Feb. 13th, 4-7 p.m. and one hour prior the mass at church
Location: Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home
Address: 4565 Pleasant Street SE
Prior Lake, MN 55352
Service Information
When: Thursday, Feb. 14th, 11 a.m.
Location: Church of St. Michael
16311 Duluth Ave SE
Prior Lake, MN 55352
Interment
Spirit Hill Cemetery
Jordan, Minnesota
