Carol Ann Williams

Carol Ann Williams was born in Spokane, Washington November 9, 1939, the first born of Denny and Neva Walsh. She attended St. Anthony's grade school and graduated from Marycliff High School in 1957. She married her beloved childhood sweetheart Ned Williams on July 9, 1960, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Spokane.

Prior to Carol's marriage, while Ned was serving in the US Navy, she worked at the Old National Bank in Spokane. After Ned returned from the Navy in 1961, he joined IBM in Spokane. In 1967, they relocated to IBM in Los Angeles, CA, where they spent many years raising their 3 sons. In 1974, they made a final move to San Jose, CA, where Ned retired in 1991. During the years in San Jose, Carol worked at Professional Secretarial Services and made several long-lasting friendships that she treasured. In 2004, Ned and Carol moved to their retirement home in Chico, CA, and lived there until Ned's death in 2009. Following Ned's death, Carol moved to Bainbridge Island, WA, to be closer to her son Michael and his family. She resided at Madison Avenue House and enjoyed the staff and her apartment view. For a number of years, she divided her time between Bainbridge Island and Palm Desert, CA, where her sister Elaine resided during the winter months.

Carol loved spending time raising her 3 sons. She always meticulously planned the family summer vacations and was a stellar navigator (many decades before GPS) during these adventures. Her Thanksgiving and/or Christmas family dinners were epic and could include anywhere from 15-20 relatives in any given year. After her sons were grown, she enjoyed traveling with Ned and kept in close contact with her 3 sisters. She enjoyed dining out and attending local theater with friends. She was an avid reader and comprehensive in her reading choices. She had a great recall of historical facts and loved to discuss events in history. She also enjoyed staying abreast of local and national news and was an avid viewer of historical programs on PBS. She was a devoted football fan and reveled in the glory years of the San Francisco 49ers and Joe Montana. In her final years, her Sunday night ritual was watching football with her son Michael who would always arrive, to her delight, with her favorite McD cheeseburger and small fries.

Ned Williams, her husband of 49 years, preceded her in death Oct 10, 2009. Carol is survived by her 3 children: Dennis R. Williams of Spokane, WA, Scott J. Williams, Michael J. (Erika) Williams of Bainbridge Island, WA, and grandchildren Carolyn Bieger, Gregory Williams, and Jack Williams.

She is further survived by her two sisters, Kathleen King of Seattle, WA, Elaine Walsh and her spouse Cynthia Thompson of Lincoln City, OR, and Palm Desert, her niece Elaine Woods of Alexandria, VA, her nephews Steven Whiteside of Spokane, WA, and Thomas Whiteside of Austin, TX, and numerous grand nephews and nieces.

Carol will be sorely missed and lovingly remembered by everyone who knew her.

Memorial Services will be held at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Spokane at a future date and will be followed by a private burial at Fairmount Memorial Park.

Arrangements are entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home of Bainbridge Island, WA