Catherine Williams Obituary

Catherine B.Williams, 82 years, beloved mother, grandmother, wife and friend, passed away on August 5, 2009 at Scandia Village, Sister Bay, WI. She was born February 25, 1927, in Charlotte, NC, the daughter of the late Luke and Bessie Boyer. Catherine received a B.A. from Greensboro College in Greensboro, NC in 1949 and a Masters in Religious Education from Emory University in Atlanta, GA in 1950. She is preceded in death by her husband, James J. Williams. Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, James and Lori (Raatz) Williams of Milton, GA, and grandchildren, Jeffrey and Laura Williams. Cathy and Jim were married on August 31, 1951, in Charlotte, NC. They moved to Elmhurst, IL, where they lived for 32 years and raised their son, James. She was a member of the Elmhurst Historical Commission where she served as Vice President and Secretary and chaired several committees. She also held numerous leadership positions in the Elmhurst branch of the American Association of University Women. Together with her husband Jim, they arranged and led study tours for students and adults to Greece, Italy and Ireland for over 25 years through their travel company, Dolphin Travel. Their interests also included the arts and architecture. They lovingly renovated their residence on Arlington Avenue designed by Walter Burley Griffin in 1910. Cathy was intelligent, stylish, loved to read, was the family historian, and thoroughly enjoyed hosting friends at their home. She loved her family dearly and will be deeply missed. Burial will be in Shiloh Cemetery in Sparta, NC. Memorials may be made in her memory to Elmhurst Historical Foundation, 120 E. Park Ave., Elmhurst, IL, 60126.