Obituary of Betty Lou Williams

Betty Lou Greene Williams, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and dear friend, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 6th at Keuka Comfort Care in Penn Yan, NY. Betty was born on November 5, 1932 in her grandmother’s house in Wellsboro, PA. She met the love of her life, Gary Williams, when she was fifteen. They were married four years later, on November 13, 1951. They had two children: Lindy and Andy. Betty’s motto was: “If life gives you lemons, make a quilt.” Over the course of her life, she made hundreds of quilts for family and friends, donating several to nursing homes and community fundraisers. If you received a card or letter from Betty, a homemade coaster or potholder was often included. Betty was also a bookkeeper, a school bus driver, and a gifted natural stone mason, building (with Gary) the beautiful stone walls in their solar home in Woodhull and a sea wall at their cottage on Keuka Lake. Grama Betty was her family’s best cheerleader. She was always happy and excited to celebrate any accomplishments and all milestones. She loved games (especially Scrabble and Pinochle), jigsaw puzzles, Debussy’s “Claire de Lune,” Bully Hill’s Sweet Walter Wine, treasure hunts, crab cakes, lilies, roses, and the color fuchsia. Betty is survived by her loving husband of 73 years, Gary E. Williams of Pulteney, NY, her daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Bruce Payne of Pulteney, her granddaughter and grandson-in-law Amanda and Brian Lucas of Kenmore, NY, her granddaughter and grandson-in-law Abigail Payne and Kenneth Shaw of Brooklyn, NY, her grandson and granddaughter-in-law Andrew and Alissa Payne of Briarcliff, NY her great grandsons, Max Lucas and Everett and Theo Payne, and her brother, James Greene of Gulfport, FL. She will also be greatly missed by her many nieces, nephews and friends. Betty was predeceased by her son, Andrew Williams, her parents, Clair and Leila Greene, her sisters, Dottie Matteson and Kay Hunt, and her grandson, Thomas Payne. In lieu of flowers, donations in Betty’s name can be made to the Pulteney Free Library, the Prattsburgh Food Pantry, or Keuka Comfort Care. Betty’s family wishes to express its deep gratitude to the staff and volunteers at Keuka Comfort Care for the loving care that Betty received at the end of her journey. All who knew and loved Betty will be invited to a celebration of her life this spring. Arrangements are in care of the H.P. Smith & Son Funeral Home in Woodhull, NY.