Ruth Williams

God called his good and faithful servant, Gleaner Ruth Williams, home on Sunday, May 7, 2017. She was 76 years old at the time of her passing. Services for Ruth will be at 1PM on Friday, May 12, 2017 at the First Christian Church in Barnsdall, Oklahoma. Ruth was born on May 26, 1940, in a log cabin in Scipio, Oklahoma, to William M. and Ruby (Williamson) Butler. She was raised in the rural Pittsburg County area where she attended Indianola Schools. Ruth was valedictorian of her graduating class from Indianola High School and continued her education at Wilburton Junior College, now Eastern Oklahoma State College, earning her Associates Degree. Ruth earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics Education from Oklahoma State University in May 1961 and began her teaching career at Barnsdall High School where she taught Junior High English and Home Economics for two years. She was a patient and kind educator who was loved and respected by her students. Ruth married Thomas Williams on February 9, 1963, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. She and Tom had four children, Thomas, Tommy, Tonya, and Tammy. Ruth devoted herself as a full-time wife and mother for the next several years. When her children got older, Ruth re-entered the workforce. She re-invented herself through additional schooling and training as needed for her career. She worked as a court clerk at the Osage County Court House, was the accountant at Taylor’s Chevrolet, and owner of Barnsdall Tag Agency. Although she worked outside the home, she never missed a ballgame, band concert, or any other activity her children participated in, most of the time acting as sponsor or chaperone. Ruth had a servant’s heart and found her calling in 1985 when she went to work for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. She worked tirelessly with the elderly in nursing home care and adult protective services in both Osage and Washington counties. She was highly respected and often recognized for her work during her 16 year career with DHS. In her retirement, she was a devoted “MeMe” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as active in the First Christian Church, and volunteer in the Barnsdall Community until her illness prevented her from doing so. Ruth is survived by her husband, Tom, of the home, her son, Tommy and wife, Lora, of Bartlesville, and her daughter, Tonya and husband Tom, of Nixa, Missouri, seven grandchildren, Ryan Holcomb, Megan Williams, Jeremy Swait and wife, Silken, Brandi Williams, Jennifer Bass and husband, Jason, Jessica Sullivan and husband, Michael, Taylor Nash, four great-grandchildren, Cael, Addi, Ella, and Jasper. She is survived by her sister, Barbara Cypert, and a special sister-in-law, Faye Wickware. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Lois Webb, and her children, Thomas Jr. and Tammy.

Ruth Williams

May 26, 1940 - May 7, 2017