Glendell Fern Williams

Glendell Williams, 87, passed away on Tuesday, August 12th, at her residence in the Good Samaritan Willow Wind community , in Prescott, Arizona. Glendell was born on November 13, 1926, in her grandmother's house in Robert Lee, Texas, to Clarence and Lois (Shropshire) Gobbel. She was the eldest of five children. As her Dad was a minister for the Church of Christ, Glendell grew up living a gypsy life, of sorts, as her family moved often throughout the west Texas and eastern New Mexico areas during the depths of the Depression. She was always the new girl in her school classes, having attended over 13 different grade schools, as a result of the family's many moves. Glendell's family arrived in Tempe, Arizona in 1942, where she attended high school and enjoyed being a teenager with close friends and family from their church. She had a gift for music and had a beautiful soprano voice, but she also loved rollerskating, baton twirling, and playing tennis with her Dad. Her life changed when she met A.C. Williams in 1944, and they were married on Christmas Eve, 1945, in Tempe by her father. The couple lived in Tucson in the 1950s, and moved to Prescott in 1957, which since and forever, the family called "home". Glendell worked mostly in retail, her first job at the Eagle drugstore in downtown Prescott. She also held jobs at the Prescott Evening Courier, starting as a receptionist and working up to advertising composer, a position that was truly one of her favorites. Glendell also worked at the Pioneer Store on Whiskey Row in the 1970s, where she enjoyed selling turquoise jewelry. She could be seen in the booth at Ken Lindley park, working as a scorekeeper for countless softball games, which her husband A.C., as Parks and Recreation Director for Prescott, coordinated. Their lives revolved around softball and the friends they made throughout. In addition to raising her three children, she was an avid bowler, being a team member for the Pin Curlers, where she made lifelong friends. One of the highlights of her life was traveling to New Zealand with A.C., where they took softball teams. Her greatest joys were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was an amazing cook, creative homemaker and gardener. Glendell is survived by her three children, Linda (Phillip Murray) Cates, Vicki Mastriani (Larry Walker), and Byron (Beth) Williams; seven grandchildren, Robyn, Glenn, Aaron, Todd, Nate, Luke and Tyler, with nine great-grandchildren, Allyson, Jared, Hailey, Dawson, Scarlett, Elliott, Everett, Owen and Liam. Also, many beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, A.C., parents, sisters and brothers. Gratitude is expressed for the kind and loving care given to Glendell at Willow Wind and Good Samaritan Hospice. Services will be held on Saturday, August 16th, at 10:00, with viewing prior beginning at 9:00, at the Hampton Funeral Home in Prescott, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

Glendell Fern Williams

November 13, 1926 - August 12, 2014