Ruth E. Williams, 79, of Newcastle, died the evening of Feb. 14 at LincolnHealth – Miles Campus in Damariscotta.
She was born April 19, 1934 in Newcastle, a daughter of the late Charles and Stella (Thompson) Reay.
Mrs. Williams enjoyed NASCAR and was a big fan of Jeff Gordon. She started going to Wiscasset Speedway back when it first opened, and liked watching Stan Merserve in the #1. She enjoyed family trips to Rangeley and Moosehead, sitting on the front porches watching boats and water skiers. She always looked forward to Geraldine coming over a couple times a day to sit on the front porch and watch the traffic, and going for a Sunday ride and getting an ice cream. She loved cookouts and family gatherings and working in the flower gardens and watching the squirrels and birds from her deck.
Over the years Mrs. Williams worked at The Bowtell Restaurant in Boothbay Harbor at a very early age; Miles Memorial Hospital; and at Great Salt Bay School from where she retired in 1999.
Mrs. Williams was a wonderful, caring, and devoted mother and grandmother that adored her family. She was a best friend to her sisters. She was a simple lady and very family-oriented. As long as she was with her family, she was happy.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Ralph Williams Sr.; grandchildren, Adam and Jesse Williams; sister, Carolyn (Tammy) Waltz; and brother, Albert Reay.
Mrs. Williams is survived by children, Ralph Williams of Newcastle, Jim Williams of Newcastle, Julie Williams of Boothbay Harbor, and Lisa Dinsmore and husband Shawn of Newcastle, grandchildren, Katheryn Williams of Newcastle, Chris Tabb and wife Emily of Colorado, and Tyler Dinsmore of Newcastle; great-grandchild, Calvin Tabb of Colorado; sisters, Geraldine Dickinson of Stoneham, Mass., and Sandra Dinsmore and husband Robert of Newcastle; brothers, Walter Reay and wife Kathy of Windsor, and Charles Reay and wife Pauline of Fort Myers, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to join the family for a time of visitation, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., Sat., Feb. 22 at the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta. Springtime interment will be in the Sheepscot Cemetery.
Condolences for the family may be sent to Lisa Dinsmore, 146 Ridge Rd., Newcastle, ME 04553 or messages may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
