Betty Jean Williams

Betty was born on October 7, 1949, in Webb City, Missouri, to Earl William and Melba Jean (Olson) Johnson. She was raised by her paternal grandparents Roy and Betty (Freeman) Johnson first in Lyford, Texas, and then in Carl Junction, Missouri, where Betty was surrounded by extended family in the community.

When Betty was around 4 years old, she contracted polio. The long-term effect was that one leg was as thin as possible and 3" shorter than the other leg. However, Betty never saw herself as disabled and was active in school, the community, and the workforce. As she got older and arthritis started taking its toll, her life verse became "Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31).

Betty attended Carl Junction schools from elementary through high school and graduated in 1968. After high school, Betty held various jobs, including at Joplin Parks & Recreation Department and the Health Department. She attended Missouri Southern State College in Joplin and Murray State University in Kentucky.

Roy "Dale" Williams first entered Betty's life in 6th grade, and then again when his family returned to Carl Junction while he was still in high school. They knew "of" each other but had limited interactions. When Dale returned to Carl Junction after serving in the U.S. Army and Navy during the Vietnam War, he saw Betty at her grandmother's house and paid his younger brother $5 to ask her if she'd go on a date with Dale. Fortunately, she agreed, and the rest is history.

On August 5, 1972, five months after their first date, Dale and Betty were united in holy matrimony at United Methodist Church in Carl Junction. They made their first home in Joplin. Due to Dale's career switches, they moved to New Mexico and Kentucky before returning to Missouri.

Betty worked as an assistant at Greenfield (Mo.) Head Start Center as well as at a preschool in Joplin and a day care in Carl Junction. She also cleaned houses.

She volunteered as a Girl Scout leader and in various roles at church. Her hobbies included cooking, baking, sewing, taking care of her plants, and watching Hallmark movies and reading with the family’s dogs and cats on her lap or nearby. She attended all of her daughters' concerts and games.

An accident in April 2020 left Betty permanently in a wheelchair. January 2021 began the family's journey with Betty's vascular dementia. Dale and Betty moved to Rogers, Arkansas, later that year, and Betty moved into Promenade Health & Rehab shortly thereafter. She was visited by family members every day.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Gary Lee Johnson, and many other loved ones.

Betty is survived by her husband Roy "Dale" Williams, Rogers, Arkansas; daughters, Rebecca Jean Booth (Michael), Rogers, Arkansas, and Jennifer Marie Holdridge (Greg), Springfield, Missouri; grandchildren Blake Williams, Austin Williams, Cheyanne Tappana, Erianna Burden, Fenix Dunn, and Sierra Dunn; great-grandchildren Isaac, Bailey, Wrenlee, Lila, Dean, Raye Dale, MarcyLinda Jean, Riley, and one on the way; sister-in-law Linda Johnson, Eunice, New Mexico; and cousins.

A celebration of Betty's life will be held at Pentecostals of Northwest Arkansas, 2200 S 13th St, Rogers, Arkansas, on Sunday, November 17, at 1:30pm. Her ashes will be interred at a later date at Fayetteville (Arkansas) National Cemetery in honor of her husband's military service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Carthage Humane Society, 13860 Dog Kennel Ln, Carthage MO 64836.

The family thanks the Promenade Health & Rehab staff, including Jammie, Jennifer, Tia, and Misty, and Circle of Life Hospice for their love and support.