Ellen Williams

Ellen M. Williams

Age 87 of Wilmington, passed away peacefully Wednesday August 31, 2011 at the home of her daughter in Frankfort.

Born May 17, 1924 in Lovington, Illinois, Ellen was a daughter of the late James A. and Lois Ellen Porter-Leach. She was a graduate of Manteno High School and married Henry "Clayton" Williams on January 2, 1942. Ellen was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Wilmington and volunteered at Kuzma Care Cottage. In her free time Ellen enjoyed crafts, which included sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting and basket weaving. She can also be remembered as an avid reader and truly cherished the time spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Survivors include her three children: Ron (Cindy) Williams of Carterville, Illinois, Ellen (Bill) O'Keefe of Frankfort and Jim (Beth) Williams of Wilmington; three grandchildren: Heidi Moss and India Williams, both of Braidwood and Joy O'Keefe of Chicago; six great grandchildren: Alex Moss, Trysten Moss, Mateson Ceci, Shelby Ceci, Allissa Ceci and Preston Ceci and one brother James Porter (Joyce) Leach of Decatur.

Ellen was preceded in death by her parents; husband Henry "Clayton" Williams on July 9, 2006; grandson J.T., great granddaughter Dallas; two sisters: Gayle Newberry and Elaine Long and four brothers: Robert, Ervin, Keith and Kenneth Leach.

The family will receive friends on Saturday September 3, 2011 from 9:00AM until time of funeral service 11:00AM at Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington. (815/476-2181) Reverend Mark Moon from the First Presbyterian Church in Wilmington will officiate and burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery in Wilmington.

Preferred memorial in lieu of flowers may be made as gifts in Ellen's memory to Kuzma Care Cottage, 635 South Main Street, Wilmington, Illinois 60481 or Joliet Area Community Hospice, 250 Waterstone Circle, Joliet, Illinois 60431.

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.FRBfuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington. (815/476-2181)