Irene Williams

Irene Williams passed away at home in the presence her husband of 70 years, Elwin Williams, on Monday, March 27, 2017, just shy of her 89th birthday. Her passing was a result of complications from Parkinson's disease. Irene was born Ruby Irene Head on May 11, 1928 in Orange, Texas, the first-born daughter of Carl and Annie Lee Head. A lifelong Baptist, she was a 1945 graduate of Brackenridge High School in San Antonio and married Elwin at San Antonio Baptist Temple on November 2, 1946.

After a few years of living in San Antonio, she and Elwin moved to his hometown of Monroe, Louisiana. It was there that she and Elwin began their family. All three of her children, Bruce, Jerry and Paul were born in Monroe.

In the early 1960s, the family moved back to Texas, first to Austin, then settling in San Antonio in late 1967. Irene was active in church activities for over 35 years at Trinity Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School and sang in the sanctuary choir as well as the Sonshine Singers. For 25 years, she worked at USAA as an auto risk review analyst.

After her children were grown, she and Elwin developed a love of motorcycles which they rode well into their 60s, as well as RV ownership. They had a love of travel and were fortunate to have seen a great deal of the world. In later life, she and Elwin became members of Woodland Baptist Church where she continued to sing in the choir until her health deteriorated. Irene had a joy for life, a passion for her Lord, and a boundless love for her sons.

She is survived by her husband, Elwin, her children, Bruce (Lois) Williams of Waxahachie, Jerry (Polly) Williams of Bastrop, and Paul J. Williams of Dallas, as well as her grandchildren, Jennifer (Jason) Williams Sullivan of Arlington, and Jeremy Williams of Austin. She is also survived by her sister, Carl Ann Drury of Houston, as well four nieces and a nephew.

Irene's life will be celebrated at a memorial service on Friday, March 31 at 11:00 am at Woodland Baptist Church. There will be a private gravesite service at Sunset Memorial Park on Saturday, April 1. Donations may be made in Irene's memory to the Music Ministry of Woodland Baptist Church.