Margaret Ella Williams

Margaret Ella Williams
Margaret Ella Williams

Margaret Ella (Williams) Williams, aged 89, died at home on September 15, 2015 surrounded by her loving family. She was the oldest of 3 children born to Harold and Mae Williams on October 1, 1925.

Margaret grew up and attended schools in the Wenatchee area, graduating from Wenatchee High school in 1943. After graduation, she attended McPherson College in McPherson, KS for a year, followed by a year working with mentally ill patients in Elgin, IL as one of the first volunteers with Brethren Volunteer Service. Working with these patients cemented her desire to become a nurse. Margaret enrolled in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corp, training at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane graduating with the class of 1948. She went on to graduate with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Whitworth College in Spokane in 1949. In fulfillment of her Cadet Corp obligation, Margaret worked for the Veteran’s Hospital in Vancouver, Wash. after graduation.

While in nursing school, Margaret became best friends with her classmate Marian Williams. It was Marian who introduced Margaret to her brother George. Two years later on March 23, 1951, Margaret married George Williams and moved to the Whitestone area near Tonasket. Together they raised 6 children on the family ranch. In addition to lovingly caring for her family, Margaret was well known to be the community nurse. She advised, gave allergy shots, and cared for neighbors and friends as the need arose. Margaret was an active member of the Whitestone-Ellisforde Brethren Church women’s group and participated in civic activities serving on the Oroville Library Board, the Joan Inlow Hylton Memorial Scholarship Committee and was a founding member of the Orthopedic Hospital Guild

After her children were all in school, Margaret worked at the Tonasket Hospital and Nursing Home for many years. In 1989, Margaret joined the Peace Corp, serving in Jamaica along with George, where she worked as a women’s health care nurse for 2 years. In 1992 the couple retired to Wannacut Lake.

Margaret considered her crowning achievement to be her children and grandchildren. Her great joy in life was knowing and serving Jesus as her Savior. She was well known to family and friends as a steadfast prayer warrior. She leaves a legacy of loving others with Christ’s love.

Obit-Margaret-Williams-2Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, her husband George of 61 years, her infant daughter Rachel Christie, and recently her son-in-law Pat Liley and her sister June (Ordo) Stutzman. She is survived by her children Mariann Williams (partner Neal Newman), Peggy Liley, Philip (Cindy) Williams, Cindy (Steve) Lamb, Dalene (Michael) Godwin, Chris (Silvia) Williams; 17 grandchildren in order of appearance: Craig (Susanne) Liley, Angela (Erin) Burke, Nakiah (Dave) Reiter, Racqel (Shawn) Plank, David (Amy) Lamb, Derek (Amy) Williams, Joshua (LiJen) Lamb, Lisa (Oliver) Underwood, Fiona (Collin) Pitman, Molly Godwin, Peter Williams, Michaela Godwin, Talia Lamb, Sam Godwin, Panida Lamb, Ying Lamb, and Elias Godwin. She is also survived by her sister Esther Barclay, 18 great grandchildren, 10 nieces and nephews, and many others who called her Grandma.

Memorial services are set for Saturday, October 17, at 2:30 p.m. at the Ellisforde Church of the Brethren, 32116 Highway 97, Tonasket, Wash. Memorials may be made to Samaritan’s Purse or the Jesus Film through the Whitestone Church. Scott Miller of Bergh’s Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Interment will be at the Oroville Riverview Cemetery.