Ethel Hermina Johnson Williams

March 23, 1919 - October 27, 2012

Ethel Johnson Williams, 93, of Hysham, passed away Saturday, October 27, 2012.

She was born in Hardin, Montana on March 23, 1919, to Herman and Elida Pearson Johnson. She was named after a movie star of the time – Ethel Barrymore. She had five brothers. She graduated from Hysham High School in 1938 and worked in the local telephone office. In 1939 she married Joe Williams at Baker, Montana. Ethel became a homemaker and helpmate.

She kept a garden that fed her family wholesome vegetables, had chickens in the back yard, and created a showcase yard that surrounded her home. She helped Joe with his business doing the bookkeeping, taxes, and reports – in short the paper end of it. She made sure her girls got piano lessons, sewed clothes for her family, and helped her kids and husband pursue their personal interests. Music, County Dances, 4-H Fair, Dress Review, Sewing, Cooking, Rodeo, Horses, Parades…

She loved working and playing outdoors. Her grandchildren will remember picnics in the pine hills with rock hunting forays. She collected and labeled everything. Ethel’s home is filled with photo albums, topical scrapbooks, and original written and illustrated histories of family members.

Ethel was very interested in Treasure County history and got involved in writing the School History of Treasure County for the Bicentennial. Joe drove Ethel all over the county to locate old school sites to photograph and look for remains of the buildings and fixtures.

She was a member and officer of the Treasure Rider’s Saddle Club. She was very active in Eastern Star and the Presbyterian Ladies Association. She was the Church Financial Secretary for many years. She was never a 4-H Leader but worked with many kids. Ethel was very creative and supportive, but preferred anonymity.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 52 years, son Larry Williams, brothers Albin, George, Leo, Allen, and Einar Johnson, and granddaughter Lori Metcalf.
She is survived by her brother Klemens Johnson of Billings, daughters Karen (Tom) Van Haele of Hysham, Gail (Steve) Hikel of Lewistown, and Elaine (Paul) O’Leary of Gold Creek, Montana, daughter-in-law Sharon Williams of Hysham, 8 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great-grandchildren.

Arrangements are by Stevenson & Sons of Forsyth. Services will be at the Community Presbyterian Church in Hysham on Friday, November 2, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. Print this post