Evelyn Ruth Williams

Evelyn Ruth Williams, age of 94, formerly of Bala and Leonardville, died Wednesday, November 13, 2013, at the Via Christi Village in Manhattan, Kansas. She was born on September 29, 1919, at Alida, Kansas, the daughter of William B. and Hulda (Bohnenblust) Sprecher. On April 29, 1940, she was married to Frank T. Williams. He preceded her in death on January 10, 2000. She was a school bus driver for 41 years for Bala and Riley County school districts, retiring in 1991. She helped her husband run the Bala Service Station and keep the Bala Cemetery beautiful. She was a member of Alida Evangelical Church, Bala Presbyterian Church, Riley Presbyterian Church and Bala Ladies Aid and Missionary Society. Evelyn was the Bala Sunday school children’s superintendent and teacher, church pianist for 50 years and sang in the choir. She played the organ at Fairview Presbyterian Church once a month and helped with Bible school for many years. She is survived by three sons, Frank Ronald Williams and wife Cheryl of Liberal, Missouri, Robert Roy Williams and wife Diana of Manhattan, Kansas and Richard Alvin Williams and wife Edna of Junction City, Kansas; a sister-in-law, Florence Wertenberger of Sabetha, Kansas; seven grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Eldred Sprecher and sister-in-law, Doris Sprecher. Funeral services were held on November 16, 2013 at the Riley Presbyterian Church in Riley with Rev. Erich D. Schwartz officiating. Music was furnished by Betty Peters. Pallbearers were Todd Williams, Thad Williams, Rodney Baldridge, Thomas Farmer, Kevin Henry, Bryan Hund and Dane Huff. Honorary Pallbearers were Tyler Henry, Andrew Baldridge, Brody Hund, Mitchell Henry, Talon Huff, Brayden Williams and Traxton Huff. Burial was in the Bala Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for the Riley Presbyterian Church and PRN Home Health and Hospice. Memorial contributions may be left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home in Riley, Kansas.