Elizabeth Ann Williams

Elizabeth Ann Williams, age 94, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Born in Folcroft, Pennsylvania in 1930, “Betty” (as her friends knew her) was one of 12 children born to John Knowles Billingsley and Marie Agnes O’Keefe.

In 1949, Betty became reacquainted with Walt Mueller, a young man who had stolen a kiss from her during a game of “Post-Office” years before. The brash young navy vet was smitten with the redheaded beauty. With a wink, he would call out “I have something to tell you” when she walked by him at the soda shop. (He later confessed that he wanted to tell her that she had nice “gams.”) At first, she ignored him, but his persistence paid off, and they married that same year.

Married for nearly sixty years, Walt and Betty lived in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and North Carolina before settling in Arizona when they retired. They had three children (Walter, Elizabeth, and Daniel), five grandchildren (Michelle, Shannon, Edward, Andrew, and Celeste), and seven great-grandchildren (Gabe, Danielle, Holly, Ansley, Justin, Heather, and Wren). Betty was a loving and proud grandmother and great-grandmother.

Betty was fortunate to have three great loves in her life. After her beloved Walt passed at the age of 81, Betty thought she would be alone for the rest of her life. However, two years later, she met Joe Williams, another veteran, and found love all over again. Although Joe and Betty were together for only a few years, they were happy ones.

After losing Joe, Betty thought that was it for love, but you never know what life has in store, even in your 90s. Enter Sparky Pinola, an Army and Air Force veteran who lived an interesting and action-filled life. Sparky, now 96, quickly stole Betty’s broken heart. The two became inseparable, often meeting friends at their favorite restaurants and enjoying each other’s company. Sparky was with Betty to the end.

In addition to raising three kids, Betty worked at times as a nursing assistant and paralegal. She returned to college in her 50s and graduated with a paralegal degree, which was meaningful to her. In her later years, she volunteered to help disabled veterans and others dealing with grief for the loss of a loved one.

Throughout her life, Betty felt that her Christian faith was a source of strength and guidance. She loved to laugh and was generous to her friends, family, and those in need. She will be greatly missed. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren mentioned above, daughters-in-law Wendy and Deborah, son-in-law Brian, sisters, Marge and Kathy, brother, Joe (“Earl”), and many other relatives and friends.

A graveside service for Betty will be held Monday, February 10, 2025, from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 2929 E Pinnacle Peak Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85024.

A memorial reception for friends and family will be held at 2:30 PM (also on Monday, February 10, 2025) at Paradise RV Resort, 10950 W. Union Hills Dr., Sun City, AZ 85373, in the Music Room.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Disabled Veterans of America (“DAV”), a cause close to Betty’s heart.