Judy Williams

Judy Sharon Williams was born November 7, 1950 in Norton, VA. She was the daughter of Fred and Doris (Barton) Farmer.  She grew up in Baltimore, MD where she attended school. Judy graduated from Howard High School in Baltimore in 1968.

While working for the National Security Agency, Judy met Darrell Williams who also worked there. In 1969 Darrell left the NSA and returned to Minnesota. Shortly after retuning he proposed to Judy and the two were united in marriage on September 27, 1969 at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria, MN. They made their home in Alexandria where she worked for First Bank and Holiday Inn before focusing on raising her family.

After Judy’s oldest children were in high school she returned to school herself. Judy earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. Judy was always interested in social justice and helping those in need. She was trained as a Stephen Minister. Judy later took a job as a program director with Prairie Community Services where she worked for many years. She retired in 2012.

Judy served as treasurer and later as a supervisor for La Grande Township. She was a member of the Homemaker’s Club and also was active at church serving on the church council and in any way she could be of service to her church community. She was also a member of the DFL and the Sierra Club.

Christmas was always made special by Judy’s ability to decorate and celebrate the holiday season. Judy was happiest with a house-full of family and friends; sharing laughs and treats. Judy knew the importance of treats; having treats constituted her third rule of a good life. Judy loved to read; she especially liked thrillers and science fiction.  Stephen King was her favorite author.   She was skilled at sewing and was an excellent cook.

Judy was always a caregiver. She offered family and friends her sense of humor and loved to laugh with them. She was a happy person who persevered through life’s hardships.  It was this resilience and sense of positivity that made people love her.

On Wednesday, November 8, 2017 Judy died at the age of sixty-seven years. She was preceded in death by her parents. Judy is survived by her husband, Darrell Williams of Alexandria; son Justin Williams and wife, Meghan Cronin, of Alexandria; daughters, Heather McCoy and husband, Andrew, of Maple Grove, MN and Michelle Walker and husband, Jay, of Duluth, MN; three grandchildren, Cassidy Walker, Ian Walker and Madelyn McCoy; three brothers, Fred Farmer and wife, Sandra, of Baltimore, Rodney Farmer of Baltimore and Joe Farmer and wife, Pamela, of Bristol, RI: sister, Alice Deckman of Baltimore; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held 11 AM Thursday, November 16, 2017 at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Reverend Ben Jacobson will officiate. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 AM Thursday at the church.

Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.