Nancy Williams

A woman who never worried about the pursuit of material wealth or the accolades of others, Nancy Williams set her sights on making life so special for those around her. She fully immersed herself into her role as a mother, but just may have argued that becoming a grandmother was her greatest gift. A true kid at heart, Nancy was laid back and fun loving, which made her so easy to be around. With the love of her life by her side for nearly 30 years, she experienced so much of the best things that life has to offer and although she traveled extensively, she was happiest when she was surrounded by her loved ones. A true blessing in the lives of many, Nancy will be deeply missed and warmly remembered.

The decade of the thirties is often recalled as one of the most trying decades that our nation has ever seen due to the unforgiving grip of the Great Depression. Although the unemployment rate was on the decline by the year 1937, there were still countless Americans without jobs and great strain on the nation’s agricultural industry due to a crippling drought that hit our nation’s heartland with no mercy. Despite the circumstances around them, a young family from Doster, Michigan, couldn’t contain the joy they felt on August 29, 1937, as they were blessed with the birth of a healthy baby girl. Baby Nancy was welcomed into the family of George “Dewey” and Mary “Gladys” (Bliss) Doster, as the youngest of four children. She was raised on the family farm in Doster alongside her older siblings, George, Graydon, and Marjorie. Her father owned Doster Lumberyard while her mother focused her attention at home. As a young girl Nancy enjoyed spending time at the family cottage her father built on Warner Lake. She attended a country school in Doster during her elementary years and went on to graduate from Plainwell High School in 1955.

With her high school education behind her, Nancy went on to Albion College where she received a teaching degree. She taught school for a couple of years but when her first child was born, she left the workforce to stay home and raise her children. Nancy was blessed with three children who were the light of her life: Julie, Jenny, and Jeff. Through the years they also had cats and a dog that were like additional members of their family.

Later in life Nancy returned to school, earning her RN from Kalamazoo Valley Community College in 1986. It was also during this time in her life that Nancy received a phone call that would change the course of her journey forever. The call was from a man named Don Williams, and he asked her out for a date in March of 1983. Nancy accepted, and they met at Findlay’s in Kalamazoo. They dated for about one year and were married on August 8, 1984. It was a second marriage for both Nancy and Don, so together they combined their two families, Nancy with her three children and Don with his seven.

Throughout her life Nancy was always one to keep busy. She was known for her skills in the kitchen and was most famous for her pies. Gardening was another favorite activity, and Nancy had the most beautiful flowers to show for her dedicated work. After receiving her degree she spent 10 years working as a nurse at the VA Hospital in Battle Creek. After Nancy retired she and Don had more time to spend sailing their 27 foot sailboat on the open waters of Lake Michigan. They also did some traveling including memorable trips to Ireland, Hawaii, and Alaska. Nancy was a lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church of Plainwell, and she also played the piano.

As those who knew Nancy can attest, there was nothing of greater importance in her life than her family. She was thrilled to be a grandmother and loved spending time with her grandchildren anytime she could. Nancy loved the holidays and always made them such a special time for her family - especially the youngest members. On Easter she hid over 100 eggs that included 14 tailor made eggs that were just perfect for each one of her unique grandchildren. Halloween was usually celebrated with Nancy’s spook trail, and she always dressed up to mark the festivities, too. Just this past August and September she savored the time she spent with her husband, driving over 7000 miles taking back roads out West to California and back through Texas.

Nancy Williams was a woman of true beauty and grace whose faith provided both the joy in her heart and the shelter from the storms of life. She took each moment captive and made it her own while making priceless memories along the way. Nancy loved so many things throughout her life, yet nothing made her heart sing like spending time with the children and grandchildren she adored. With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want Nancy made a significant impact in the hearts and lives of so many within her reach.

Nancy Williams of Plainwell died on November 7, 2011, in Bronson Hospital. Nancy’s family includes her husband, Don; her children: Julie (Leonard) Stickels, Jenny (Brian) Ernst and Jeff (Kathy) Braginton; 18 grandchildren and several great grandchildren; brother, George; and sister, Marjorie. Nancy was preceded in death by her brother, Graydon, and granddaughter, Sara Stickels. Visit with family and friends and view her life story film on Wednesday from 4:00-7:00 at Life Story Funeral Home, Plainwell; 120 S. Woodhams St. (685-5881). A Funeral will be held on Thursday at 11:00 at the Funeral Home. Please visit Nancy’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo, sign her memory book online before coming to the funeral home, and make a memorial donation to the First United Methodist Church.