In loving memory of

Ruth Winona Williams
November 8, 1921 - August 24, 2019

Ruth Winona Williams, 97, of Danville, died Saturday, August 24, 2019 at Klein Center, West Burlington.

Ruth was born November 8, 1921 in Danville, the daughter of Fred John and Maggie Julia Gugeler Wagner. On September 5, 1942, she married Wendell Williams in Danville. He died November 4, 2018. She attended #1 Country School House and was a Danville High School graduate. She was a member of Harmony Bible Church and along with her husband, spent 25 years doing missionary work in Ireland, retiring in 1988.

Ruth enjoyed cooking and baking, many times for others. Ruth's life was exemplified by her giving and caring nature, always putting others above herself.

She is survived by one daughter, Janet (Kerry) Gibson of Appleton, Wisconsin; six sons, Linn (Carolyn), Russell (Kathy), Ross (Tammy), all of Danville, Jim of Florida, Nathan (Laura) of Burlington, and Trevor (Wendy) of Bettendorf; also mother to Tony (Cheri) Gumley of Alaska and Paul (Joyce) Montgomery of Kansas; and numerous children from Ovoca Manor and Drewstown House, both in Ireland; eighteen grandchildren, forty great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandsons; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one grandson Neil Williams, two sisters Opal Page and Phyllis Weyl, two brothers Wyman Wagner and Ivan Wagner.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM, Thursday, August 29, 2019 at Harmony Bible Church, rural Danville. Rev. Kerry Gibson will officiate. Burial will be in Pleasant Grove Cemetery, rural Danville. Visitation will begin after 1:00 PM on Wednesday, August 28 at Elliott Chapel, New London, with the family greeting friends from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. A memorial has been established to Harmony Bible Church Missions. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com

Tributes

Don & Vivian Kellar wrote on Sep 2, 2019:

"September 2, 2019 Dear family, My wife Vivian and I, Don Kellar , wish to extend our sincere sympathy to you on the death of Ruth. I am a first cousin once removed of Ruth. Her mother, Aunt Maggie, and my grandmother, Emma Mathews, were sisters. When Ruth was in high school, for at least a portion of the four years, she stayed at our house in town ad helped my mother with the household chores including taking care of me, the oldest, my sister Iona and my brother Allan. This was a common practice in those days before school buses. I also recall attending Ruth & Wendell's wedding and my mother was the organist. Our paths have not crossed much in recent years but we always enjoyed visiting with them when the occasion arose. Until last Wednesday, Vivian was a resident at Klein Center and so we were unable to attend neither the visitation or the funeral. Again, our deepest sympathies. Vivian & Don Kellar ."

Patricia Johnson wrote on Aug 28, 2019:

"My deepest and sincere condolences to the family of Ms. Ruth. As a volunteer at Klein, it was my pleasure to have been in the presence of this beautiful, warm-hearted woman. A woman filled with love for mankind, a woman who meant a lot to me and others. I will truly miss her, but I thank God that I was able to share some time with her, my life is so much richer for having been in her presence. She loved to sing at Klein Church. She will forever hold a special place in my heart. Rest on Ms. Ruth , you deserve your rest now. God's richest blessings to you, family for sharing her with so many. Pat Johnson"