Linda Williams

Linda Sue (Heath) Williams was born on August 25, 1941 to Dwight L. Heath and Mary E. (Gooding) Heath in Lamar, Colorado and departed this life on Monday, February 10, 2020 in Yakima, WA.
She grew up on the family farm eight miles north of Lamar. At two years old, she stated her independence by stamping her small right foot and saying, “I may will and I may won’t” when asked to do something. She loved animals and it was not unusual for her to share an ice cream cone with a favorite dog or cat. Her paternal grandfather, Harry Heath, purchased eight spirited Shetland ponies from a failed circus for the young Heath cousins. The family kept two at the home farm, they brought adventure and experience in staying on while riding to Linda and her family. Later, a Quarter Horse, named Red, brought her many hours of joy.
The family attended a country church, Clover Meadow Church of God, where Linda made her profession of faith there. Baptism, in this church, followed her commitment to Jesus Christ. Linda’s strong faith was a blessing to family, friends, and numerous acquaintances.
Linda was gifted in areas of music and art. She played clarinet in the high school band and took private piano lessons. Linda’s handmade gift cards were treasured by those who received them. Many community volunteer activities and clubs benefitted from her gifts and talents.
Linda attended Clover Meadow Grade School; Lamar Union High School; Colorado Women’s College-Denver, Colorado; University of Northern Colorado-Greeley, Colorado; and Parks School of Business-Denver, Colorado. Linda worked for Oldsmobile Division of General Motors in Denver. During this time her parents noticed more frequent trips to Lamar. She had met Don Williams, golf pro at The Lamar Elks. They developed a relationship that led to an engagement and marriage at The Lamar United Methodist Church on November 19th, 1967. They wintered in California and summered in Helena, Montana where Don worked as golf pro and Linda ran the pro-shop. Their son, Christopher Heath Williams was born in Helena. They moved to Yakima, Washington when Chris was little.


Linda is survived by her husband, Donald R. Williams of Yakima, Washington, son Christopher Heath Williams, his wife Rachel (Nelson) Williams , and their sons, Evan and Zane Williams of Riverbank, California, sister, Gail Heath Piper of Colorado Springs, Colorado, nephew James D. Piper of Boise, Idaho, and niece Deborah A. Piper Copher of Oakwood, Georgia.
She was preceded in death by paternal grandparents Harry E. and Eva P. (Turpin) Heath, maternal grandparents William and Melvie Gooding, June Sparkman Gooding Craddock Berry, parents Dwight L. and Mary E. (Gooding) Heath; nephew Thomas Heath Piper Sr., and niece Kerry Lynn Piper Zagata.