Barbara P. Williams

GRAND JUNCTION — Barbara Williams died peacefully at the home of her son and daughter-in-law on Nov. 13, 2009.

Barbara P. Williams was born in 1923 in Roxbury, Mass. to William and Beatrice Sweeny. She was the youngest of four sisters – Berry, Margaret, Jacquelyn, Wally and one brother, William. All of them preceded her in death.

She attended public schools in Massachusetts and was recognized for her talent with poetry while in school. After graduation from high school, and with the advent of WWII, Barbara wanted to serve her country. She moved to Washington, D.C., where she was employed with the OSS, the forerunner of today’s CIA. She worked for the famous “Wild Bill” Donovan, the OSS’s first director.

Barbara stayed in Washington with the OSS throughout the war. After the war, the OSS sent her to Germany. She was a secretary there, recording interviews with suspected Nazi war criminals. It was while in Germany that she met her future husband, Donald E. Williams, a US Air Force pilot, who was also stationed in post-war Germany. They were married in 1946, in Germany.

Barbara left the OSS and became a military wife, traveling with her husband to assignments in Washington, D.C., Alabama, Nebraska, England, Massachusetts and Florida. A son, Donald, Jr. was born while in Massachusetts and a second son, John, was born while in Nebraska.

After her husband’s retirement from the Air Force in 1969, Barbara and Donald, Sr. move to his hometown of Montrose, Colo. They lived in Montrose for most of the 1970’s. They then moved to Washington state for part of the 1980’s, returning to Montrose to live the rest of the 1980’s, 90’s and 2000’s.

Her husband, Donald, Sr. preceded her in death in 2004. In March 2008, Barbara moved to Grand Junction, Colo., to be closer to her family.

Barbara always enjoyed sports. In her younger years, she participated in golf, tennis, badminton and bowling. When older, she enjoyed watching sports. Her other enjoyments were pets – until her later years she always had dogs and cats. While in Nebraska in the 1950’s, Barbara and Donald liked showing their champion Terrier, Cindy, in AKC dog shows. Barbara also enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and visits from her family, especially her grandsons Jake and Walker.

Barbara is survived by sons, Donald E. Williams, Jr. and wife, Carla; John G. Williams and wife, Peggy; grandsons, Jake and Walker Williams and step- granddaughters, Jenifer and Melissa. She is also survived by her sisters’ many sons and daughters-her beloved nieces and nephews.

Barbara was truly a member of the “Greatest Generation,” like her husband. At her request, cremation has taken place. A private family memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado, 3090 B N. 12th St., Grand Junction, CO 81506 or Roice-Hurst Humane Society, 3320 D 1/2 Rd., Clifton, CO 81520.

Arrangements are under the caring direction of Callahan-Edfast Mortuary.