Sara J. Williams

NAME: Sara J Williams AGE: 77 RESIDENT OF: Exeter DATE OF DEATH: 11-25-2016 OCCUPATION: S.C. Gas Co. New Business Clerical PLACE OF DEATH: Exeter Sara Jo Williams, 77, beautiful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother went home to be with our Lord on November 25, 2016 due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. Born in Coweta, OK to Arthur and Lotha Beene on March 11, 1939, she was the youngest of three children. She moved to Visalia, CA in 1955 with her parents and graduated from Mt. Whitney High School in 1957. They attended Noble Ave. Church of Christ where she met the love of her life, Larry Ray Williams. They were married on May 16, 1958. They had three children and devoted their time to serving God and their family. Sara worked for the Southern California Gas Company for 33 years before retiring in 2004. She was a volunteer speaker for the United Way program through The Gas Company; a past board member of Pathfinder Christian School, where many of her grandchildren attended; a past member of the Tulare/Kings Master Gardener Program and a member of the Visalia Community Church of Christ. Sara was known for her kind and gentle spirit. She had a quiet way about her, always lending a helping hand when she could. She also had a wry sense of humor and knew just when to interject it into the conversation. She spent countless hours with her grandchildren - being their supportive arm – whether it be taking them to practice, supporting them at their school functions or having sleepovers “in the middle”, as they called it. She was instrumental in their lives - always a positive influence. She and Larry always wanted to live in the country so they bought a piece of ground in Northeast Visalia and built their dream home. Sara created beautiful gardens at her new home and they spent many hours on the porch, enjoying their view. The porch became her sanctuary and most of her last days included many “sits” on the porch. She had wonderful caregivers in her last years that made her days a little brighter. Sara is preceded in death by her parents, her two brothers Gerald and Jimmy Beene and her grandson, Ian Ramsey. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Larry Williams of Exeter; her son, Mark (Debbie) Williams of Visalia; her daughters, Lesle (Chris) Burchell of Exeter and LeAnne (Mark) Pratt of Visalia; her grandchildren Britni Williams and fiancé Joey Sahagun, Kelsey (Anthony) Payne, Bryce (Corinne) Ramsey, Tyler Williams, Erik Volden, Audra Pratt and Sawyer Pratt; one great-grandchild, Emery Ramsey and many loving family members and friends as well. In lieu of flowers, we would appreciate donations to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation in Sara’s name. The viewing will be at Salser & Dillard Monday, December 5th from 5-7 pm. Services will be at Visalia Community Church of Christ on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at 11 a.m. A memorial tribute may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com

Sara J. Williams

March 11, 1939 - November 25, 2016