Viola Eleanor (Collins) Williams (1926 - 2015)

Born 20 Mar 1926 in Great Falls, Montana, United States

Died 24 Mar 2015 at age 89 in Kennewick, Washington, United States

Biography

Obituary

Viola Eleanor (Collins) Williams, passed away on Tuesday, March 24, 2015, in Kennewick, Wash.

She was born March 20, 1926, in Great Falls, Mont., daughter of William Ellis and Anna Gunelia Evjen Collins. She completed grade school in Carter, Mont., and began attending high school in Fort Benton, Mont. During that time, both of her parents died unexpectedly within a few years of each other.

Fifteen-year-old Viola moved to Colfax, Wash., to be near her sister, Anne. While attending the Assemblies of God church in Colfax, she became closely acquainted with the pastors, Ralph and Vera Mader, who adopted her shortly thereafter. Viola graduated from Colfax High School in 1944, briefly attended Seattle Pacific College, and then returned to Colfax.

In 1949 Viola met a young man who was helping her parents move. After a short courtship, she married Harry D. Williams on Oct. 21,1950, in Colfax, where they lived until moving to Pullman, Wash., in 1952.

They welcomed the arrivals of their two children, Rozanne, in 1954, and Glenn, in 1959. Early on Viola stayed at home to provide an idyllic, loving environment for her two children. Later she began a career that spanned 25 years at Washington State University, where she retired as the executive secretary for the WSU provost and academic vice president.

She and her family were actively involved with the Assemblies of God Chapel on the WSU campus, a ministry started by her adopted parents, Ralph and Vera Mader. Viola and Harry continued their involvement in church work at Calvary Christian Center in Pullman, Wash., where she served as the secretary-treasurer for 15 years.

After retiring, they moved to Clarkston, Wash., in 1996, relocated to Mead, Wash., in 2000, and made their current home in Kennewick, Wash., in the spring of last year.

Viola was musically gifted and enjoyed singing solos at church functions. Her other joys included hosting family gatherings where she shared her fabulous cooking skills, especially her home-baked cinnamon bowknots and banana cream pies. She was passionate about gardening, and the family home was always beautifully landscaped with seasonal flowers. Spring was her favorite time of year. She anxiously awaited the first signs of daffodils and tulips. It is appropriate that her birthday falls on the first day of spring. This brilliant flower, Viola, will always be remembered by her family and friends for her kindness, her nurturing, her loving spirit and her faithfulness to others and to God.

Surviving are her husband, Harry D. Williams, of Kennewick, Wash.; her children, Rozanne Tucker, of Richland, Wash., son-in-law Paul Tucker of Richland, Wash., and Glenn and wife, Kathy, Williams of Colbert, Wash.; four grandchildren, Angie Lawson (Bryan), Shaley Wells (Matt), Eric Williams and Bryan Williams (Chandra); two step-grandchildren, Janelle Tucker Amato (Lance) and Ryan Tucker (Lacey); five great-grandchildren, Clayton, Bryce and Gracie Lawson, and Micray and Carter Williams; and five step-great-grandchildren, Jacob, Landon and Olivia Amato, and Paizlei and Adelaide Tucker.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, April 3, 2015, at the Peone Cemetery 13100 N. Bruce Road, Mead, Wash. Memorial contributions may be made to Gentiva Hospice, 22820 E. Appleway Ave., Liberty Lake, WA 99019. ^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ http://dnews.com/obituaries/obituary-viola-eleanor-collins-williams-formerly-of-pullman/article_3b1bb700-e026-5035-af16-ac18759bf6e3.html