The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Joan Marie (Nielsen) Williams passed into the arms of Jesus on Thursday afternoon, June 8, 2017.

Mom was born on May 10, 1932 in Tillamook, Ore., to Victor and Una Nielsen. She and her two brothers, Dale and Don, grew up on a dairy farm, enjoying family and friends in their close-knit community. She knew our dad, Gene, in high school but it wasn’t until he was out of the Navy that they dated and eventually married on May 20, 1955. They were married 61 years before Dad passed away last year on July 4, 2016. Together they raised the three of us (Lori, Ken and Ron) in Tillamook and then Cathlamet. It was her greatest joy to be a mother, grandmother, and friend to all, and she excelled at it!

Any who knew the challenges Mom faced living 53 years with multiple sclerosis were amazed at her strength and the ability to maintain her huge smile through it all. She will be missed more than we can say, but we are thanking God for her life well-lived and that she is now free and whole in heaven!

Survivors include Lori (Williams) and Mike Haden, Jenny and Matthew; Ken and Margie Williams, Cherie, Kristy and Tracy; Ron and Julie Williams, Brady, Jared and Drew.

Private interment took place in Tillamook. Cards or remembrances of Joan Williams in the form of a donation to the National MS Society or Community Home Health and Hospice of Salmon Creek may be mailed to Lori Williams, 1126 Portesuello Avenue, Santa Barbara, Calif., 93105. Dowling Funeral Home of Cathlamet is in charge of arrangements.

- Paid Obituary -