Obituary for Helen Ruth Williams (McDonald)
A Memorial Service to celebrate the lives of Keith and Helen Williams was held on Saturday, November 20th, 2021 at Bayham United Church. Attendees were asked to RSVP via Keith's online tribute page at www.verhoevefuneralhomes.com or by contacting the Maurice J. Verhoeve Funeral Homes, Tillsonburg (519-842-4238).
Anyone that was unable to attend the memorial service are invited to copy and paste the below link to view the memorial video created in honour of Keith and Helen Williams:
https://youtu.be/06RwT2c3rYQ
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The Williams family sadly announces the passing, in her 90th year, of beloved wife, mother, sister, sister-in-law and good friend to many, Helen (McDonald) Williams. Most recently of Harvest Crossing in Tillsonburg, she was an active resident of Straffordville for 59 years. Born in Tillsonburg and raised in the Goshen area, Helen was the beloved wife and partner of Keith Williams for 66 years. Much loved mother and mother-in-law of: Gary Williams (Ruth) of Campbellville, dear sister of Jim McDonald (Muriel) and Bob McDonald (Alice) both of Tillsonburg. Predeceased by her parents J. Hugh McDonald and Alma McDonald (Coomber), her brother Bob and his wife Alice.
Born in her grandfather’s house in Tillsonburg, Helen attended school at Upper Goshen and Tillsonburg Rolph Street Public School, followed by Tillsonburg High School and Tillsonburg Business College where she learned her typing skills. These skills were refined at the law office of Donald P. Gibson for the next 7 years, then helping her husband Keith run an insurance brokerage, as well as providing annual reports and other documents for her much-loved Straffordville United Church. However, the skills were truly tested by typing school essays for a number of folks around Straffordville, not the least of which was her son’s many hand-scribbled documents (Ma – remember the “Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire” essay you did for me?) that she turned into gold, and perhaps better marks.
Helen Williams was a proud and dedicated member of the United Church in Straffordville and was a dedicated U.C.W. member there for many years. She worked tirelessly for the group, along with many others, to make the village a better place for us all. Her U.C.W. friends also provided comfort and friendship until the end of her life, and will continue to support Keith because that is what they do.
In keeping with Helen’s expressed wishes cremation has taken place. Further services are being organized at a later date and will be published at a later date. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the MAURICE J. VERHOEVE FUNERAL HOMES – BURIAL AND CREMATION SERVICES INC., 262 Broadway Street, Tillsonburg (519)842-4238. Memorial donations are payable by cheque or online to the ‘’Bayham United Church’’ or to any charity of your choice through the verhoevefuneralhomes.com website.
Anyone that was unable to attend the memorial service are invited to copy and paste the below link to view the memorial video created in honour of Keith and Helen Williams:
https://youtu.be/06RwT2c3rYQ
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The Williams family sadly announces the passing, in her 90th year, of beloved wife, mother, sister, sister-in-law and good friend to many, Helen (McDonald) Williams. Most recently of Harvest Crossing in Tillsonburg, she was an active resident of Straffordville for 59 years. Born in Tillsonburg and raised in the Goshen area, Helen was the beloved wife and partner of Keith Williams for 66 years. Much loved mother and mother-in-law of: Gary Williams (Ruth) of Campbellville, dear sister of Jim McDonald (Muriel) and Bob McDonald (Alice) both of Tillsonburg. Predeceased by her parents J. Hugh McDonald and Alma McDonald (Coomber), her brother Bob and his wife Alice.
Born in her grandfather’s house in Tillsonburg, Helen attended school at Upper Goshen and Tillsonburg Rolph Street Public School, followed by Tillsonburg High School and Tillsonburg Business College where she learned her typing skills. These skills were refined at the law office of Donald P. Gibson for the next 7 years, then helping her husband Keith run an insurance brokerage, as well as providing annual reports and other documents for her much-loved Straffordville United Church. However, the skills were truly tested by typing school essays for a number of folks around Straffordville, not the least of which was her son’s many hand-scribbled documents (Ma – remember the “Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire” essay you did for me?) that she turned into gold, and perhaps better marks.
Helen Williams was a proud and dedicated member of the United Church in Straffordville and was a dedicated U.C.W. member there for many years. She worked tirelessly for the group, along with many others, to make the village a better place for us all. Her U.C.W. friends also provided comfort and friendship until the end of her life, and will continue to support Keith because that is what they do.
In keeping with Helen’s expressed wishes cremation has taken place. Further services are being organized at a later date and will be published at a later date. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the MAURICE J. VERHOEVE FUNERAL HOMES – BURIAL AND CREMATION SERVICES INC., 262 Broadway Street, Tillsonburg (519)842-4238. Memorial donations are payable by cheque or online to the ‘’Bayham United Church’’ or to any charity of your choice through the verhoevefuneralhomes.com website.