Ruth Louise Williams

Born during the Great Depression to Jim and Helen Beaver, Ruth was the oldest of their three daughters. From an early age, she learned responsibility, perseverance, and the importance of family—values she carried with her throughout her life.

She married John McGuire on November 1, 1948, and became a devoted mother to Randy, Rick, and Gary. (That may explain why she turned gray a little early.) Marriage and family were true cornerstones of her life.

By the late 1960s and early 1970s, Ruth could be found wearing a hard hat on construction job sites, working alongside John and her boys as they built homes—many of which she had a hand in designing. She was never content to sit on the sidelines; she believed in showing up and pitching in.

Ruth experienced profound loss when John passed away on September 1, 1974. At that time, she was living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. After several years, she found love again and married Dick Williams on February 19, 1977. When she married Dick, she became a stepmom to Tim. She developed that relationship and is still very close to him. Ruth and Dick shared 43 years of marriage filled with faith, service, and partnership.

Together, they moved to New Hampshire, where they helped start a children’s home. Eventually, they returned to Lubbock, Texas, where Ruth continued working in the home building business with Rick and Randy at McGuire Builders.

Ruth and Dick were active members of Greenlawn Church of Christ, where Ruth’s faith overflowed into service. She mentored newly married young women, “adopted” college students—feeding them often—taught Bible classes, and spoke at women’s retreats. Loving people was not something she scheduled; it was simply who she was.

Dick passed from this life on September 9, 2020. Even in loss, Ruth’s devotion to God remained steadfast. She treasured her Brother’s Keepers Group, Ladies’ Bible Class, and in recent years, Thursday Game Day at church, which brought her much joy.

Debbie, Marian, and Mary somehow were all her favorite daughters in law! At least that is how she made each of them feel. Ruth was dearly loved by her six grandchildren—Chris, Jennifer, Rusty, Patti, John, and Matt—as well as seven great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren. Her sister JoAnn was her closest and dearest friend, and the two spoke almost daily. If you knew Ruth, you loved her. She loved people deeply and intentionally, and she leaves her family with a legacy worth striving to emulate.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to all who cared for Ruth and loved her so well.