Transitions: Ruth Williams, 96
Ruth L. Williams, a former employee at St. Joseph High School, once sang with the Sweet Adelines. Williams passed away on April 10 at the age of 96.
The daughter of William “Bill” Hartman and Ollie Denhart Hartman, Ruth was born west of St. Joseph on Aug. 11, 1922.
She attended Illinois Commercial College and later landed her first job at Sullivan Chevrolet automotive dealership in Champaign. From there, she moved on to Collegiate Cap and Gown. She then went to work at a restaurant in St. Joseph before becoming a dedicated employee at the high school, where she worked for 32 years.
At the age of 20 she married Murray Williams who preceded her death on June 30, 1980.
Ruth loved country music and dancing. She enjoyed her family and spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by a daughter, Margaret “Kay” Charles (Ron) of St. Joseph; five grandchildren, Angela Mumm of Cape Coral, Florida, Vicki Sparks (Larry) of St. Joseph, Bob Mumm of Cape Coral, Florida, Jodi Williams of Nashville, Tennessee, and Melissa Williams, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and four great-grandchildren, Kayla Sparks and Brandon Sparks of St. Joseph and Grace Vilar and Michael Vilar of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Ruth was preceded in death by her son, Bill Williams; two brothers, Ernie Hartman and Bill Hartman; and a sister, Helen Lowe.
She was laid to rest on Monday, April 15, 2019, at Mount Olive Cemetery, Mayview, with David Barcus officiating.
Memorials can still be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
The daughter of William “Bill” Hartman and Ollie Denhart Hartman, Ruth was born west of St. Joseph on Aug. 11, 1922.
She attended Illinois Commercial College and later landed her first job at Sullivan Chevrolet automotive dealership in Champaign. From there, she moved on to Collegiate Cap and Gown. She then went to work at a restaurant in St. Joseph before becoming a dedicated employee at the high school, where she worked for 32 years.
At the age of 20 she married Murray Williams who preceded her death on June 30, 1980.
Ruth loved country music and dancing. She enjoyed her family and spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by a daughter, Margaret “Kay” Charles (Ron) of St. Joseph; five grandchildren, Angela Mumm of Cape Coral, Florida, Vicki Sparks (Larry) of St. Joseph, Bob Mumm of Cape Coral, Florida, Jodi Williams of Nashville, Tennessee, and Melissa Williams, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and four great-grandchildren, Kayla Sparks and Brandon Sparks of St. Joseph and Grace Vilar and Michael Vilar of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Ruth was preceded in death by her son, Bill Williams; two brothers, Ernie Hartman and Bill Hartman; and a sister, Helen Lowe.
She was laid to rest on Monday, April 15, 2019, at Mount Olive Cemetery, Mayview, with David Barcus officiating.
Memorials can still be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
