Patricia Ann Williams

Patricia Ann Williams, 84, of Columbia, MO, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Thursday, May 1st at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. Friends and family may gather on Monday, May 19th at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 West, from 1-3pm. A Celebration of Life will follow at 3pm.

Patricia was born June 28, 1940, in St. Louis, MO, the only child of Robert and Josephine (Davidson) Phelan. For the first nine years of her life the family made their home in North St. Louis on Accomac St, surrounded by her aunts, uncles and cousins, and her maternal grandmother Francesca Davidson, who she dearly loved.

In 1949, the family moved to Ferguson, MO and lived on Ferguson Ave, right next door to her Great-aunt Ettie and Great-uncle Paul. She mentioned many times that it was a lonely move for her because there were no other children in the neighborhood to play with and she dearly missed her cousins and friends on Accomac St.

But as the years flew by, she made long lasting friendships with many girls in her class. These friendships would last a lifetime, always meeting on a monthly basis and for birthdays. The ladies even started their own “Red Hat Society” Club, which they enjoyed immensely. It wasn’t until these past few years that the friend group was no longer able to meet due to the complications of growing older. However, the ladies still stayed in touch by phone.

In April of 1958, just a month before she was due to graduate high school, she met the love of her life, John Williams, at a local music store as she sat waiting for her piano lessons. At first she was not impressed, but went out with him at the urging of her mother. Their first two dates were double dates with friends and they barely spoke to one another. But on the third date, which was just the two of them, they started talking and hit it off. After the third date, they were hooked and were soon engaged and married on July 29th, 1958. They set up home just two doors down from her childhood home on Ferguson Ave. Then over the next few years welcomed three daughters; Kathy, Karen, and Kelly. John and Pat would spend the next 66 years together before his passing on May 7th, 2024.

Patricia, being an only child, was shy and reserved around John’s family which was extremely large and boisterous since John was one of 11 children. But soon her new sisters-in-law took her under their wings and made her part of that big, beautiful family. She soon became famous in the family for her potato salad recipe, which was a staple of every Williams family reunion.

Pat enjoyed camping and fishing with her family and visiting Van Buren, MO and fishing on the current river. She and John were also avid bowlers and enjoyed a bowling league with their friends for many years. She faithfully worked for the City of Ferguson as a financial clerk for over 28 years, retiring in 1991.

Pat’s family meant everything to her. Her unwavering love and faithfulness to her daughters and everyone who was lucky enough to be welcomed into her life, left a mark of love on everyone’s hearts. Her legacy of love will continue on throughout the generations she has left behind.

She is survived by her daughters; Kathy Ashton of Columbia and Karen Williams of St. Louis; and son-in-law Rusty Glen of McNeal, AZ. Grandchildren, Anja Ashton (Andrew Eick) of Warrensburg; Kenneth Ashton (Katherine Odom) of Austin, TX; Heather (Jim) Bockhorst, and Michael (Marie) Greulich of Florrisant; and John Greulich (Blair Johnson) of Fenton. Great-grandchildren Josephine Ashton, Steven and Julia Bockhorst, and Mia and Michael Greulich Jr., and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members and friends who loved her deeply. She was preceded in death by her husband John Henry Williams; daughter Kelly Ann Glen; son-in-law George Martin Ashton; and her parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Caring Hearts and Hands Hospice, 1307 W. Broadway, Columbia, MO 65203 or Unchained Melodies Dog Rescue, 4107 White Tiger Ln., Columbia, MO 65202.

Condolences and fond memories may be shared at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com