Fern Williams

Fern Annette Williams, 88, of Bridgman entered heaven on Thursday, February 16, 2012 at Eaton Rapids Medical Center, Eaton Rapids, Michigan.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 20, 2012 at Woodland Shores Baptist Church, 3555 Shawnee Road, Bridgman, MI with Reverend Scott Boles from First Baptist Church of Eaton Rapids officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Berrien Springs. Friends may meet with the family from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. on Monday at Woodland Shores Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Woodland Shores Baptist Church of Bridgman or First Baptist Church of Eaton Rapids.

Fern was born October 8, 1923 in Berrien Springs, MI, the daughter of Harold and Ruth Spaulding. She graduated from Berrien Springs High School in 1941. Fern received her teaching degree from Otterbein College in Westerville, OH in 1945. She taught home economics at Shenandoah College in Winchester, VA. After marrying Walter Williams Jr., she moved to Berrien Springs, MI and taught home economics at Bridgman High School. In 1956, Fern and Wally opened Williams Pharmacy in Bridgman. Fern was a devoted wife and a loving mother and grandmother. She was a lover of flowers, small fluffy dogs and, since 1939, the Chicago Cubs. She enjoyed hunting morel mushrooms, traveling, and playing bridge. Fern was a dangerous Yahtzee player and consistently humbled her grandchildren in card games. For many years she served others as a volunteer in the oncology department and gift shop at Lakeland Hospital-Mercy. She loved the Lord and was a member of Woodland Shores Baptist Church.

Survivors include her daughters Ellen Williams from Sun Lakes, AZ; Karen (Paul) Wegner from Eaton Rapids, MI; two grandsons, Cliff (Tara) Wegner from Hudsonville, MI; Tim (Kara) Wegner from Eaton Rapids, MI; and sister Georgia Harner from Niles, MI and numerous nieces and nephews.

Fern was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Williams, Jr. in 2004, brother Merle Spaulding, sisters Laura Sunday, Lois Briney, and infant Cecil Spaulding.