Betty J. Williams

FLORENCE, KS – Betty J. Williams, 93, farm owner and teacher, died Saturday, April 4, 2020. A Graveside Service will be held later at Hillcrest Cemetery, Florence, KS. Betty was born November 27, 1926 at the home of her parents, Sam and Florence Robinson. She married Donald Williams in 1947 and graduated from Kansas State Teachers College in 1948. Betty put her family first, but close seconds were her church and country. She taught Sunday School and volunteered at the First Christian Church, Florence, KS, was a Marion County Republican Committeewoman, Girl Scout and 4-H leader, and held various offices in the Marion PEO Chapter. Betty was determined. When she was in high school, Betty “made” the pep band, even though in her words she ‘wasn’t the best clarinet player.’ Pep band qualified her for a free ticket to all the games. After she was married, she finished her bachelor’s degree at Emporia State University (Kansas State Teachers College) by paying $5 a week to ride the daily mail truck route from Florence to Emporia in order to attend classes. A neighbor assured her she couldn’t do it, but she graduated with a teaching degree in 1948, and thanked the naysaying neighbor for the challenge. Even when parents, neighbors and friends told her she shouldn’t leave her 20-month-old daughter with a babysitter, she took a teaching job at Clements High School, to help with farm finances. She taught English, History, Shorthand and Bookkeeping at Clements as well as Peabody and Marion high schools. In 1947, Betty married her best friend’s brother, Donnie Williams; they were married for 57 years. Together they ran a successful farming operation incorporating trucking, livestock, seed and fertilizer sales, and grain farming. Betty kept the books while Donnie made the strategic decisions of what to plant, raise and sell. They provided a “work hard, do your best, look for the opportunity, and take time to play” environment for their three children. Eight grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren are her legacy. She loved every one of them for their individual personalities and talents. For years she got her family together for holidays, especially Christmas, Easter and the 4th of July. She was a wonderful cook, possibly due in part to her husband’s last-minute invitations to visitors to “come in and eat lunch.” She’d pop another potato in the pot, create beef and noodles from a simmering roast, or roll out a fruit pie in nothing flat. Her grandchildren will remember Grandma’s homemade rolls and pies. She was equally adept in her office managing multiple accounts and ledgers, issuing invoices, paying bills, but always had time to visit with a customer, friend or family. Knowledge motivated her. She was a life-long learner, a voracious reader, including the Wall Street Journal, up until weeks before her death. She often said that to be a good farmer, one had to know what was going on in the city as well as on the farm. Her husband, Donnie, often commented that traveling with her was like having a personal travel guide; ‘she knew every place we went before we got there because she’d read about it.’ She was the oldest living member of the Florence Christian Church, a church she was a member since her baptism. One of her favorite hymns was “I Come to the Garden Alone,” which describes walking and talking with God in a garden. Betty loved a beautiful flower garden and a good conversation. Her children and grandchildren will remember that Grandma was never satisfied with a simple answer about one’s recent trip, job or schoolwork. She had lots of thoughtful questions. The family has established a memorial with the Florence High School Alumni Association to continue funding an annual scholarship for a local high school student from Marion High School. Donations can be made to: Florence HS Alumni Association c/o Jerry Malmgren, 6240 W 155th Street, Overland Park, KS 66223-3593. Downing & Lahey Mortuary West Chapel is handling arrangements. Please share tributes online at www.dlwichita.com