Shirley Ann Williams

Dr. Shirley A. Williams , 70, of Keystone Odessa Fl, passed away peacefully on December 15, her husband by her side. Shirley was a native Floridian, having been born at the old Drew field (now T.I.A), in Tampa, to Don and Jean Ahlers. When she was born her father was serving in the US Army in China, so she did not get to meet him until she was two years old. When the war ended her father returned and the family moved to Elmwood, Ohio, west of Dayton, where Shirley grew up. She graduated from Northmont High School at seventeen years old and continued her education at Ohio State in Columbus. She was the Valedictorian of her undergraduate class of 5,000 and went on to earn her Doctorate degree in 1972. She became a professor of Spanish at the O.S.U Lima, Ohio campus, during which time she wrote two college level textbooks which were both published and quite successful. In addition, she founded and developed the Lima O.S.U Honors Program. She also spent a year at Yale University on a National Scholars fellowship. Shirley loved to travel both at home and abroad and to tend to her special garden. She was a member of the “Fern Garden Club” and served a term as Vice- President. Shirley is survived by her husband of thirty years, Robert Ballenger of Keystone, Odessa and three adult children and five grandchildren: Sarah Anspach, (husband David), children Abby and Adam, all from Springboro, Ohio- Jenny Johnides, (husband Jeff), daughter Ali, all from Celina, Ohio;- and Jason Ballenger, daughters Brianne and Kaisey, all from St. Marys, Ohio. A brother, Ron Ahlers, (wife Carol)survives in Sag Harbor, Long Island, New York. Her step mother survives in Florida, Joan Ahlers from Seminole, Florida. Shirley was preceded in death by both of her parents. A special thanks to Dr. Khaldoun Almhanna and nurse Connie over the past two years for their care of Shirley at Moffit Cancer Center. The family also thanks Life Path Hospice, Blue Team for their kind and understanding care in Shirley’s final days. We also want to acknowledge our neighbors Becky Perry and her husband Larry Smith for all their generous support, also our old friends Donna and Paul Payne for their care and support in Shirley’s final days. A visitation will take place from 1 to 3 pm on Friday, December 19,2014 at Blount & Curry Funeral Home, Carrollwood Chapel, 3207 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa, Florida. The other visitation arrangements, along with the funeral and burial will take place in St. Marys, Ohio at a later date. The arrangements are with Miller Funeral Home in St. Marys, Telephone, 1-419-394-3301 or 1-419-394-4632.