Betty Williams

Betty M. Williams, of Waukesha, died Sunday, March 28, 2010 at AngelsGrace Hospice at the age of 93.  She was born on May 2, 1916 in Waukesha to Otto and Florence (nee:  House) Schroeder.  She attended Union Grade School and Waukesha High School where she was the secretary of the student body, sang in the choir, had an interest in journalism and played tennis.  She attended UW-Madison and was a member of the Delta, Delta, Delta Sorority and with her friend Dick Riblet, she established the Thimble Theatre (a Marionette Theater).  In her 40’s she received her teaching degree at Carroll College, and then taught at Pleasant Hill, Whittier and Prairie Elementary Schools.  Betty enjoyed spending her summers at Buchner Pool, where she met her husband Lewis who was a lifeguard there.  They were married on September 27, 1936 and shared 73 wonderful years of marriage before his death on January 3, 2010.  She was a founding member of Southminster Presbyterian Church, where she was active in the choir.  Betty was a former member of First Presbyterian Church where she was a Deacon and Sunday school teacher.  In her retirement she was a teaching assistant and established the Mother Goose collection of over 600 volumes at the library at Carroll University Library.  She was an avid reader, was a member of the Auxiliary at Avalon Square where she read to the residents of Arbor Manor.  Betty loved the challenge of academics, knitting, was a marvelous cook and was active in Girl Scouts for both of her daughters. She was a member of Waukesha Service Club and served on the Board of Directors for the Waukesha Public Library.  She enjoyed traveling for business and hunting and fishing trips to South Dakota and Wyoming with Lew, and for pleasure with Sally.  She was especially proud of her audition for Jeopardy when she was in her 60’s.  She will be remembered for her quick wit and sense of humor. She will be fondly missed by her daughters Sally (George) Winkler of LaGrange, IL, and Judith Williams of Waukesha.   She is further survived by her daughter-in-law Pam (Ken) Burnett of Jefferson, 9 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.  She was preceded in death by her husband Lewis E., son Lewis A. and sister Marjory. A memorial service will be planned for early summer.  Memorials may be made to the Library Fund at Carroll University, 100 N. East Avenue, Waukesha 53186, for Betty’s Mother Goose book collection or Southminster Presbyterian Church 200 Richard Street Waukesha, WI 53189.  For further information, please call Randle-Dable Funeral, Cremation and Preplanning Services at (262) 547-4035, or go to www.waukeshafunerals.com to leave an on-line tribute.