Betty Marie Williams, age 93, of Ford River, Michigan, passed peacefully at home on Thursday, September 7, 2023 of natural causes.
Betty was born October 22, 1929 at Ford River, Michigan, to Fred and Clara (St. Antoine) Tryan. Her siblings include: Earl, Robert, Marge, Ken, Louis, Eileen, Fritz, Gladys, Clara Ann, and Jim.
Betty attended Escanaba High School before working for Saint Francis Hospital. She moved to Rockford, Illinois in 1948, and began working at National Lock, the world’s largest manufacturer of fasteners at that time. In 1948, she met Alvin Earl Williams, who was also working at National Lock. They married September 10, 1949 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Rockford. Alvin continued to work at National Lock and Betty became a homemaker. They bought a house and moved to 3316 Wesleyan Avenue, Rockford, IL, in 1958. They raised five children: Earl Alvin, Rodney David, Kimberly Marie, Carolyn Sue, and Mark Alan. Later, Betty went to work for Alma Nelson Retirement Home, followed by Saint Anne’s Retirement Home. She and Alvin retired in 1992. In 1993, they moved to Ford River, MI.
Betty is survived by four children: Earl A. Williams and his wife Cheryl of Stevensville, MI; Kimberly M. Swenson and her husband David of Rockford, IL; Carolyn S. Wear and her husband Walt of Rockford, IL; Mark Manivong and his husband Sam of Washington, DC; eight grandchildren and twenty-two great grandchildren; and her siblings: Eileen and Gladys. She was preceded in death by her husband Alvin and son Rodney David.
Family will receive friends on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at St. Anne’s Catholic Church from 11 AM to 12 noon. Mass of Christian Burial honoring Betty will begin at noon. Betty will be laid to rest at the Gardens of Rest Cemetery in Wells and a luncheon will be held in the parish hall following burial. To leave online condolences, visit www.Skradskifuneralhomes.com. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Williams family.
Devoted wife, loving mother, friend: You will be missed, but never forgotten.
Kim Swenson - Davis, IL
Dear Mom,
Our hearts are breaking that you are gone. We love you so very much! You were the best, sweetest & most giving mother! We miss you so much already! You are now at rest in God’s loving arms where you will no longer have pain. We love you mom & you’ll be forever in our hearts! You are now with Dad & Rodney, so until we meet again,Rest in peace !
Mary Noyes Pearson - Lee's Summit, Mo
I grew up in Ford River with the Tryan family. Betty and Gladys were my best friends for several years. We used to ride our bikes into town often and during the summer months we went swimming every single day in the Ford River at various favorite swimming holes – twice a day, afternoon and evening. We had many fun times together. We lost track with each other for many years, but one summer a couple of years ago while I was visiting Escanaba, I found her in Ford River and we had a very nice afternoon getting caught up on all the years we were apart. I’m so glad I was able to see her again and to meet her husband and see photos of her children. I am sorry to hear she has passed, but glad to know she had a good, long life with a wonderful family. I hope Gladys remembers me, and think she probably will.
Mary Noyes Pearson
Carolyn Wear - Rockford , IL
Dearest mom,
I feel so lost without you. You were the best mother and I am so lucky you were mine. I have such beautiful memories that I will hold in my heart forever. I know you are reunited with dad and Rodney now and also with grandma and grandpa and your siblings who went before you. What a wonderful reunion that must be. I look forward to the day we can all be together again. There are no words for how much I will miss you.
Your loving daughter,
Carolyn