Betty Merkel Lewis

Betty was born in Wildwood, New Jersey on November 3, 1925 to Heinz and Stella Merkel. She was an only child and moved to St. Petersburg, Florida when she was 3 months old. She stayed there for 33 years. She lived in Maryland for 4 years, Texas for 11 years and 38 years in Colorado. She entered the Registered Nurse Program just after graduation from high school. While in training she joined the Army Nurse Corps. She graduated in June of 1945 and took her state board in November.

On October 13, 1945 she married Charles Wesley Williams III. They had three children. Charles Wesley IV, Wade Hampton and Karen Lee and they were married for nineteen years. In June 1965 Betty and her children moved to Houston Texas. She became director of nurses at a psychiatric hospital until it closed after 4 years. There she helped children with drug or other related issues and turned their life around. She then went back to school for a year and became a nursing home administrator taking her state board in Austin Texas. She worked the rest of her life until retirement as an Administrator for St. Joseph's in Florence, CO. She published many articles about the elderly whom she loved dearly. On August 3, 1984 she married John Lewis in Castle Rock, Colorado. They traveled to over 30 countries and toured many landmarks together and enjoyed life to the fullest. After her retirement from work age 63, Betty became involved with community activities. She staffed the tourist cabins in Canon City, CO for three years, helped Head Start program for children's needs. She raised money and donated items to the facility for abused women and children. She planted trees in the cemetery for the Veterans. She joined the VFW auxiliary in Canon City and served as their president for one year. She was the state legislative chairman for six terms and won many national awards. She served on a committee of six people to build a Memorial Wall for the Veterans at the local airport. After five years of planning it was accomplished. It was named the Veterans Park and Wall and she named a road running into the Park "Veterans Way". She gave a dedication speech the day it was opened. Betty and John were quite the "duo" in Colorado. People considered them movers and shakers in the VFW. She was the wife of a commander of the Scottish Rite Mason. Betty loved helping children. She wrote numerous letters about children and they were published in the local paper. She and John through a missionary, adopted children from the Dominican Republic and watched them grow through their support with clothing and education needs. She loved her three children and was proud of everything they accomplished. She also loved her extended family of almost 27 years and thought of them as her own. Tana and Gary Maxwell and their five daughters. Kathy and Rick Dunemn and their two daughters. And loved all their grandchildren. She loved her many friends from Emeritus, Spicewood Springs and St. Theresa's Catholic Church. Hospice was extremely comforting during this time. Special nurses that she became very close to are Diane Meyers and Barbara James. She leaves her three children, Charles Williams and his wife Gay Lynn and grandson Chase Hampton. Wade Williams and his wife Billie and their children, Hillary, Colin and Alex. Karen Miller and her husband Ron and grandson Ryan Wesley.

As a young child Betty loved school and absorbed everything in sight. She had strong convictions and a good work ethic. She believed in discipline for children and she was a strong advocate of higher education. She was outspoken, opinionated and she was always loyal to her causes, of which she had many. She was for the underdog… Betty had pneumonia at the age of 75 which left her on oxygen.

Memorial service to be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 21st at St. Theresa's Catholic Church, 4311 Small Drive, Austin, TX , with a reception following. Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 10th at St. Benedict's Parish, 622 W 2nd Street, Florence, CO 81226.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Humane Society or the Salvation Army.