Barbara Del Thayer Williams, “Bobbie”, 88, born September 1, 1931, in Los Angeles, California passed into glory on March 16, 2020 in Colorado Springs, CO. Preceding her in death, was her husband of 57 years, Kenneth Williams, in 2013. Bobbie was one of seven siblings and one half-sibling, three of whom also preceded her in death. She is survived by four siblings, Paul Thayer, Sharon Sullivan, Joan Gonzales, and Muriel Kymla; her daughters, Gaylyn Williams, Joy Coker, and Joni Shepherd; seven grandchildren, Joshua, David, Craig, Jonathan, Timothy, Micah, and Danielle, and thirteen great-grandchildren.
Bobbie met Ken while living in a “Nav Home,” a discipleship program training men and women for missionary service. They married in 1956 and served with Wycliffe Bible Translators for 55 years. Bobbie’s strength of character was evident as they left the comforts of the United States and lived in Guatemala for 11 years. They served as Bible translators for the Chuj (pronounced like the end of a sneeze) people of a Mayan dialect who previously had no written language and, thus, no Scripture in their own language. Ken and Bobbie raised their three daughters in a remote Guatemalan village in primitive surroundings. Bobbie’s servant heart was manifest as she ministered to and built deep relationships with the Chuj people, honoring their culture, while living in community with them. Following completion of the New Testament translation in 1969, they returned to the US where Ken went back to school to become a counselor to missionaries. Bobbie supported and assisted Ken in this ministry and in training new missionaries in California, Texas, and around the world through 1992. Over the years they developed training in interpersonal skills for missionaries serving with multiple mission organizations. Bobbie continued to support and assist Ken as they founded International Training Partners, Inc. in 2001. ITP is a global network of facilitators and trainers serving together in an informal partnership to provide practical, interactive, biblical training in interpersonal relationships. SYIS Workshops (Sharpening Your Interpersonal Skills) have been hosted in 100 countries enhancing ministry effectiveness in the church and mission organizations worldwide. Bobbie was a model, devoted wife who made it possible for Ken to achieve and maintain success in all his endeavors. The adage, “behind every successful man, there is a strong woman,” could not be truer than in the partnership of Bobbie and her husband, Ken.
Bobbie was a loving mother, supporting her daughters beautifully through the mountains and valleys of life. She taught them how to be honorable, godly, and loving women, wives, mothers, grandmothers, and friends. Known as “Mamo” to her grands and great-grands, she was always excited to spend time with them, always loving, full of good humor, beloved by all. She was always hospitable, graciously opening her heart and home to adults, young people, and children for hundreds of family and ministry gatherings. Though an introvert, no one was ever friendless when Bobbie was around, even up through her last week on this earth as she would touch and comfort others. She brought joy, love, and laughter into every relationship and every room. Bobbie’s courage to support family and friends after her beloved Ken’s death was valiant. To say she made the world a better place is a gigantic understatement. Heaven was honored to receive her and also became a better place on Monday, March 16th, 2020.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to International Training Partners in support of its directors, Paul and Laura Lere, who have expertly expanded the work globally beyond anything Ken or Bobbie could have imagined. She would be most honored by your support of Paul and Laura and their ministry. Gifts can be made at:
or mailed to PO Box 64408, Colorado Springs, CO 80962.
For inquiries, please email:
A memorial service will be at The Road @ Chapel Hill Church, 2025 Parliament Dr. Colorado Springs, CO 80920. On October 31st at 11:00am. Meet in the Chapel.
A meal will be served afterwards. Please RSVP for the meal attendance to: [email protected].
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5