Patricia Ann Williams

            Patricia Ann Kelly Williams, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 12, 2014, at the age of 81.             Pat was born on March 23, 1932 in Great Bend, Kansas, the oldest of three daughters, to David C. and Olive Kelly. She attended school in Wichita, enjoying school activities, a father-daughter softball league, and was a member of the International Order of Rainbow for Girls. She graduated from Wichita North High School in 1950 and attended Wichita State University, earning an associate degree in business studies.             It was in Biology class as a junior in high school that Pat caught the eye of Don Williams and they became high school sweethearts. They were wed on August 16, 1953 and lived in Manhattan, Kansas, where Pat worked as a secretary in the engineering department at Kansas State University while Don completed his studies. Following college, Pat liked being an Air Force wife as they moved to several cities across the U.S. making lifelong friends.             The family broomcorn business brought Pat and Don to Springfield, Colorado in 1958. Throughout her early years on the prairie, Pat enjoyed ladies’ and couples’ bridge clubs, bowling, and other activities with good friends. She took pleasure in working with her kids’ interests in Cub Scouts, 4-H, Rainbow Girls, and school sports. Pat served as a substitute teacher in the Springfield schools, and in the fall of 1974, became the high school secretary. She loved her work, serving faithfully and tirelessly until retiring in 1992. A memorable experience was receiving the KLMR Southeast Colorado Secretary of the Year award in 1991. Pat was involved in various ministries at the Methodist Church, including serving as chairman of the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee. Pat and Don enjoyed many travels over the years and visiting their children, grandchildren, and fraternity and Air Force friends.             She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Linda.             Pat will be lovingly remembered by her husband of sixty years, Don, a son, Mike and wife Charla of Amarillo, Texas, a daughter, Karen Bowling and husband Barry of Keller, Texas, a son, David and wife Linda of Tomball, Texas; seven grandchildren, Ryan Williams and family of Bucharest, Romania, Trenton Williams and family of Celina, Texas, Nathan Williams and wife of College Station, Texas, Will Bowling and Abbey Bowling of Keller, Texas, and Kristen Williams and Blake Williams of Tomball, Texas, five great-grandchildren, a sister, Nancy King and family of Salina, Kansas, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.             Funeral service held Monday, March 17, 2014, at 2:00 pm at First United Methodist Church, ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­901 Colorado Street, Springfield, Colorado with interment in the Springfield Cemetery. Maltbie Funeral Services is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the First United Methodist Church Kitchen Fund, PO Box 193, Springfield, CO 81073 or to the Southeast Colorado Hospital, Long Term Care Center at 373 E. 10th Avenue, Springfield, CO 81073.