Ruth Marian Williams

Ruth Williams passed away on Monday November 17, 2025 in her home at Meadow Creek Village in Salem. She was 103 years old. Ruth was born April 23, 1922 in Great Falls, Montana and moved with her entire extended family to Salem, Oregon in 1928. She lived the rest of her life in the Salem area. Ruth loved to share stories of her train rides as a girl from West Salem out to her grandparents farm in the Brooks/Waconda area north of Keizer. An avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast she spent much of her free time in the outdoors, climbing MT. Hood three times, taking long hikes requiring over night camping in the mountains. She belonged to several outdoor hiking groups and often went on long excursions with group members. She hiked and walked right up to the time of her passing.

After graduating from high school Ruth had a long career working for the Oregon Supreme Court with Justice Arno H. Denecke until her retirement. She was well respected and thought of.

During WWII Ruth met and was courted by a young Camp Adair soldier from Vermont, however Ruth decided she was not ready for a serious relationship at that time so they parted ways. 48 years later Ruth was reintroduced by a mutual friend to that same soldier, Robert Williams, and they married in 1990, remaining married until Bob's passing in 2003.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Robert Williams, parents Harry and Lillian Turpin, a son Richard Morgan, and two sisters Ada Morse and Lillian Gilmour. She is survived by stepson Jim (Karen) Williams, nephew Daniel (LeeAnne) Gilmour, stepson John (Kris) Williams, two nieces, a grandchild, step grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will be missed by many.