Erna Williams, born in Mount Vernon, WA, a lifelong resident of Stanwood, WA, passed away at the age of 90. Her parents Ildrid and Ivar Thomle raised her on their Stanwood farm on the Thomle Road. She graduated from Lincoln High School in East Stanwood, and later attended Pacific Lutheran University and University of Washington. She married Bill Williams on September 16, 1944. They expanded her family farm together, through years of dairying and later crop farming. Traveling was something Erna and Bill got to do throughout their life, and they enjoyed seeing new places and meeting people. They later moved to Camano Island where Erna loved her beach life; crabbing, clamming, and swimming whenever she could. She was the consummate hostess, welcoming neighbors and friends in for dinner parties and always including new acquaintances into their home. Her Norwegian heritage was very important to her. She was able to travel to Norway several times and kept up her ability to speak and write the language. She loved to read novels, but never sat idle for very long. She was an avid gardener, baker, and knitter. Later in life she took up wood carving, tackling some very ambitious projects. She painted each piece she carved and became quite accomplished at her craft, giving many away as gifts. Her family was of great joy to her. Her husband, Bill of 70 years; son Rick (M'Lisse) Williams and daughter Debra (Jeff) McClure. Four grandchildren; Sarah Williams, Garrett (Mellisa) Williams, Todd and Britta McClure and two great grandchildren, Leif and Grayson Williams. Erna was an only child, but had wonderful cousins that she shared fond memories with from the farm and in Seattle. She was community and church minded. She gave her time to the Patricia Hulbert Guild (Children's Hospital and Medical Center). She was a member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Stanwood, where she served on the altar guild, sang in the choir, and was the memorial chairperson for 30 years. She enjoyed volunteering wherever and whenever she could. She always had a heart for visiting those who were at home ill, hospitalized or in nursing homes, it was very important to her.
A celebration of Erna's life will be held on Saturday, November 29th, 11 am at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 27201 99th Ave. NW, Stanwood, WA 98292.
Memorials may be made to Patricia Hulbert Guild (Children's Hospital and Medical Center), 4800 Sand Point Way N.E. PO Box 5371, Seattle, WA 98105 or Our Saviour's Lutheran Church (Altar Guild), PO Box 370, Stanwood, WA 98292.
Arrangements under the direction of Gilbertson Funeral Home, Stanwood