Shirley Louise (Harrison) Williams, 91, of Vandalia, IL, passed away at 10:05 a.m. December 24, 2024, at the Lutheran Care Center, in Altamont, IL.
She was born on July 14, 1933, the daughter of Roy Ernest and Nellie Mabel (Hittle) Harrison. She married John O. Williams on October 23, 1954, at Mother of Dolors Catholic Church, in Vandalia, IL. He preceded her in death on January 12, 2001.
She is survived by two sons- John “Steve” Williams of Salem, IL and Tim (Bridget) Williams of Loami, IL; brother- Alan (Loretta) Harrison of Vandalia, IL; sister- Brenda Adamson of Mattoon, IL; sisters-in-law- Jan Harrison of Rapid City, South Dakota, Judy Bess of Decatur, IL and Doris Harrison of Vandalia, IL; brother-in-law- Wayne Connor of St. Elmo, IL; she was blessed with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, step-mother- Lena Harrison, son- Gregory M. Williams, daughters-in-law- June Williams and Sue Williams, grandson- Anthony Mark “Tony” Williams, five brothers- Robert Harrison, Kenny Harrison, Richard Harrison, Larry Harrison and Keith Bess and sister- Joan Connor.
Shirley graduated from Vandalia Community High School. She worked for Attorney Joe Dees, in Vandalia, in the early 1950’s. John and Shirley lived in Gahanna, OH, in the 1960’s. While living there she was active in the Jaycees and volunteered at St. Matthew’s Catholic School, in the library. They later moved to Aurora, IL, where she worked as a receptionist at a doctor’s office and then later moved to Springfield, IL, where she worked for AT&T, until her retirement. John and Shirley moved to Hot Springs Village, AR, in 1989 following their retirement. Following John’s sudden passing Shirley moved back to Vandalia, in 2001, where she spent her time volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. Shirley was a member of Mother of Dolors Catholic Church, in Vandalia.
John and Shirley loved to dance and spent many years involved in mixed league bowling. They both loved to travel the United States and spend their time camping. Shirley always said she grew up poor but didn’t know it because everyone else was in the same situation. She would talk about the first house they lived in that had electricity. Shirley loved her family and especially her grandchildren. They would always go on many camping trips to different parts of the country.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 30, 2024, at the Mother of Dolors Catholic Church, 322 N. 7th St. Vandalia, IL. With Father Seth Brown officiating. She will be laid to rest following the services in Fairlawn Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice. The Blurton Funeral Home is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be shared with the family on her everlasting memorial page at: www.BlurtonFuneralHomes.com.
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