Mary A. Williams

MISSOULA – Mary Alethea Williams passed away on Monday, June 3, 2013, in Missoula. Mary was born Nov. 14, 1925, in Miami, Fla., to Ernest and Jimmie Lee Williams. She graduated from Bay County High School in 1943. She married a man who happened to have the same last name, Frank O. Williams Jr. and they had two children, Frank and Karen. They resided in Florida until 1957 when they moved to Rock Island, Ill., and then to Missoula in 1961. Mary was employed by the Newberry's store in Missoula and then by McCrory's stores in management positions which took her to locations in Medford, Ore., Omaha, Neb., Jasper, Ind., and Hamilton, Ohio. She returned to Missoula in 1989 to be near her friends and children and grandchildren.

Mary was predeceased by her two brothers, Ernest and Robert, and sister Marion and a granddaughter Meredith Ann Johnson. She is survived by her two children, Karen Johnson (Paul Johnson) and Frank O. Williams III (Vicky Nicholas), all of Missoula; five grandchildren, Scott Johnson (Robyn) in Wasilla, Alaska, Mary Pat Williams in Seattle, Heidi Williams (Andre Meunier) in Vancouver, Wash., Jake Williams (Jamie) in Seattle and Kate Williams in Solana Beach, Calif.; and nine great-grandchildren, Kayla Williams and Nicky Hirning, Connor and Noah Mishler, Meredith May, Maggie, Sander, Moriah and Monica Johnson.

Scott Johnson, her grandson, will conduct a memorial service for her at the Missoula Manor, 909 W. Central, on Friday, June 14, at 1 p.m. Mary would be pleased to have any donations given to the Missoula Manor Endowment Fund.

Mary was an excellent needle-worker, creating sweaters and decorations for family members and friends. She had to work hard to keep up with demand for her little stitched angels. At age 87 she was still active in the Manor, and was serving as president of the resident's council. She possessed the unique combinations of complete honesty with dependable competence and a competitive spirit with total humility. She was kind and caring in a gentle way. She accepted life's twists and turns with class and without complaint. She was very proud of her children and grandchildren and we were very, very proud of her. We love you, Mom.

Read Mary Williams's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.