Esther M. Long Williams

"At 10:53 a m on a bright , sunny and clear, February morning, with spring flowers blooming, songbirds singing, and a cool wind from the west blowing, a precious flower was carried out of our very hands by a sudden breeze. We all watched it sail up, caught up in the wind, slowly, away, then beyond what our own eyes could see, upward, upward she went slowly, softly lighting onto the very hand of God."

Esther M. Williams passed away peacefully, after living a happy, loving, 81 years, surrounded by loving family, in her home of 57 years on February 26th. Esther was born on August 21, 1930 in Haldane Illinois, to Kenneth and Bernice Long, a German Baptist family who worked a family farm. Then at nine, moved to Modesto California, with her mother where she attended the Old German Baptist Church on Rumble Road, Hart Ransom School, and Modesto High Schools. She met her husband of 57 years, Neil Williams in Modesto and enjoyed camping and fishing with him, and the four children she raised in their north Modesto home. She also enjoyed quilting, knitting, needlepoint, sewing, gardening, baking, preserving foods and joined Neil in the Tube Testers CB Radio Club in the 70's. Esther and Neil are members of the Davis Park Church of Christ. She was a joyful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and Child of God. We were all truly blessed, by her life and her love. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Neil Williams; daughter, Karen Spann; sons, Kenneth Williams, Kevin Williams, and Kris Williams. Esther is also survived by her grandchildren, Sonya North, Jason Williams, Heather Garrett, Jon Williams, Lindsey Williams; seven great-grandchildren; and sister, Charlene Crumpacker. A funeral service will be held Saturday, March 3rd at 10:00AM at Lakewood Memorial Park in the Heritage Chapel, 900 Santa Fe Ave., Hughson CA 95326.