Betty Williams

Betty Williams, 87, Ojai, passed away from heart failure, Sunday, March 10, while gardening at home. Born, Beatrice Rose Smith, September 19, 1926, in Long Beach, CA, Betty moved to Ojai as a youth with her parents, the late Charles Carel Smith and Lola Smith. She graduated from Ojai’s Nordhoff High School, 1944-45, where she met her future husband of 67 years, Ralph L. Williams. Survivors also include children, Susan Shorb, Auburn, CA, Bruce Williams (wife, Ellen), Chandler, AZ, Debbie/Iris Williams (husband, Kirk Lowry), Ojai, eight grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Betty raised beautiful flowers and berries, loved making apricot jam from a tree she and Ralph had planted, and was talking with a friend and admiring her in-bloom plum tree when she suddenly died. She had a full life, a big heart, shared her passions, especially about Jehovah God, and will be missed by those who knew her. Graveside service, Friday, March 15, 11 a.m., Pierce Brothers Santa Paula Cemetery, 380 Cemetery Road, Santa Paula. Memorial service, Saturday, March 16, 2 p.m., Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1015 Tico Rd, Ojai.