Mary Claire Williams

Mary Claire Williams passed away Thursday, March 7, 2013 at her home in Plainville at the age of 83. She was born in Plainville April 7, 1929 to Lynn and Helen (Weigel) Lambert. She had one brother, Richard. Mary’s family moved to Washington, D.C. after she was born and her father ran a grocery store there. She lied about her age during WWII and took a job with the American Red Cross. Mary also worked for Bell Telephone as an operator while she lived there. Her family then moved back to Woodston, Kansas and she worked in the restaurant and gas station her parents ran. Mary was united in marriage to Paul Williams on February 11, 1950 in Stockton. To this union 4 children were born: Paula, Natalie, Bonita and James. Mary worked for Pete Hilgers at the Plainville Lockers for a short period of time and then opened her own pizza parlor called Mary’s Pizza Hut. She stayed in business until her husband decided that it was not profitable enough, so Mary closed the pizza hut and went to work for the Rooks County Nursing Home under the direction of the Wills family. Mary worked for the nursing home as a Med-Aide for 10 years. She then retired and spent her time raising her three children. In later years Mary also worked as a private home healthcare provider. Mary was an active member of the VFW Auxiliary Post 8871 where she volunteered and served as an officer for many years. Mary and her husband were very instrumental in the concept and completion of the Rooks County Veteran’s Memorial Monument now located in Stockton, Kansas. She was also an active member of the First Christian Church in Plainville. She helped cook several Thanksgiving meals for the congregation throughout the years. Mary would tell you that her greatest accomplishments during her lifetime were raising her four children, owning and operating her own business, even if only for a short time, and helping her husband with the completion of the Rooks County Veteran’s Memorial. Mary is survived by her four children, Paula Glick (Fred), Natalie Towns (Stan), Bonita Higgins (Dennis), and James Patrick Williams; four step-children, Donovan Brumbaugh (Diane), LaVonne Werner, Clayton Siler (Sharon) and Rodney Marshall (Lara); 20 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; and 18 great-great-grandchildren. Mary was preceded in death by her husband Paul Williams; parents Lynn and Helen Lambert; brother, Richard Lambert; and son-in-law Joseph Werner.