Eddie J. Williams

Born on May 12, 1932, in Temple, Texas, Eddie Jean began her life amid America's Great Depression. Born to Mary Charlotte Simms. Her father, Edwin R. Heard, was killed in an airplane accident when his daughter was just one year old. Eddie was primarily raised by her grandmother, Martha Simms, called Mamma to all her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mamma was widowed in 1935 and raised her children and Eddie Jean as a single parent. Eddie's mother worked and lived in California and Hawaii as a singer, often entertaining troops at USO shows and sending money home. Eddie Jean thrived in high school, where she was a cheerleader and played on the tennis team. She went to college, initially attending Texas Tech University but left there because Lubbock's extreme dust storms proved intolerable to her. Eddie transferred to North Texas State University and was one of the few women of her day to study business administration. She graduated with a degree in business in 1953. After graduating, she worked as an assistant buyer for the Sanger-Harris department store in Dallas. And in 1954, she joined American Airlines as a stewardess. She flew to many of the great cities in the United States - New York City and Chicago. She also traveled the route to Mexico City, developing a genuine a_ection for the culture. At Texas Tech, Eddie Jean met Charles (Bill or Redbird) Williams. Sometime after they left Tech, they reunited at a Texas Tech football game in Dallas. Charles attended the University of Texas Law School and asked Eddie to marry him. He decided not to continue studying law, and he and Eddie were married on July 9, 1955. Two sons came soon after, Michael in April of 1957 and Jeffrey in August 1960. Family and work-life were full and rewarding. Eddie Jean worked in several roles: real estate broker; The Dallas Apparel Mart, assisting clothing line representatives in selling their wares; Certified Real Estate Appraiser; fashion designer; and mortgage broker. Eddie is mainly remembered for her participation: in a bridge group that stayed together and active for over 60 years, winning the club tennis championship at Spring Valley Country Club, her activity in the Richardson Woman's Club, serving on the Richardson Library board, playing golf, serving as a Cub Scout Den Mother, and other community activities too numerous to mention. She was a consummate Mom, not just to her sons but also to many in the neighborhood, serving as a stable force. Correcting her sons as need be, protecting them from threats, and pushing them to achieve. We were blessed to have such a fierce and loving woman to call "Mom." She positively impacted so many lives in subtle and obvious ways. After the death of Charles, Eddie ultimately moved to Washington State, where Jeffrey_ and Mike had made their homes. For most of the 18 months, she lived in Vancouver, Washington, where she enjoyed an independent lifestyle with weekly happy hours, a book club, and art classes. Unfortunately, she suffered significant health setbacks beginning in February 2022, finally passing away just three weeks short of her 90th birthday on April 22, 2022. She is greatly missed. Eddie Jean Williams is survived by her two sons: Michael (Diane) and Jeffery, Granddaughters; Nula Fisher, Rebecca Williams, and Alexandra Williams and one grandson, Seth Williams.

Eddie J. Williams

May 12, 1932 - April 22, 2022