Lisa "Birdie" Ellin Williams

The youngest of four, she was born in Detroit to Robert and Melanie Harvey and grew up in Dearborn, Michigan. As an elementary school student, she attended the Greenfield Village Schools, established by Henry Ford as a tribute to the one room schoolhouse. This environment, the architecture and artifacts representing 200 years of American history, had a profound influence on Lisa. Its emphasis on craft and hands-on learning led her to develop her skills as an accomplished textile artisan, making garments, quilts, and the multitude of beautiful Christmas stockings that she bestowed on the children of family and friends.

She attended Dearborn High School and Eastern Michigan University where she earned a degree in Home Economics. In 1978 she married her junior high school sweetheart, George (Bud/Buddy) Williams in the Martha-Mary Chapel at Greenfield Village. In the early 80s the family relocated to Florida where she and Bud worked with Bud’s father in the family business, Wheelchair Transport Service. Lisa also worked as a reservationist for Northwest and Delta Airlines.

Together with Bud, she raised four amazing children, Amelia (Drew Pennant) Williams, Natalie Brane, Clifton (Nicole) Williams, and Claire Williams. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Ansley and Ellis Brane, Preston, Bennett, and Franklin Williams, and Charlotte Pennant. Although she was the youngest of four, she was the nucleus for both the Harvey and Williams extended families. She and Bud cultivated a legacy of bringing family and friends together, both at their home in Seminole, and also the family home “Blue Creek Retreat” at Lake Martin (Alabama).

As a Delta retiree, she took full advantage of her flying benefits which enabled her to be in the audience at nearly every performance, sports game, and special event for her grandchildren. She was beautiful, inside and out; always kind and welcoming, always generous and loving. In addition to Bud, their children and grandchildren, Lisa is survived by her siblings Randy, Grant, Julianne and a legion of loving niblings and great niblings, friends and extended family.

In lieu of flowers, monetary gifts in Lisa’s memory may be directed to The Henry Ford’s Annual Fund, honoring her life by helping sustain the learning and inspiration shared each day in Greenfield Village for future generations.

Gifts may be made online by clicking the hyperlink in the donations section below or by check and mailed to:

The Henry Ford at 20900 Oakwood Boulevard, Dearborn, MI 48124

Attention: Matt Zink, Institutional Advancement.

When making a gift, kindly include Lisa's name to ensure your donation is properly acknowledged.

A Funeral Service will be held at Anona United Methodist Church, 13233 Indian Rocks Rd, Largo, FL 33774, US, on May 9, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm, followed by a Reception at Serenity Funeral Home, 13401 Indian Rocks Road, Largo, FL 33774, US, on May 9, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm.

To celebrate the joy and color Lisa brought into the world, the family kindly requests guests wear bright, Spring-inspired attire to the services celebrating her beautiful life.