Marion Ella Williams

Marion Williams passed away on August 24, 2024 following complications from a fall. She was born in Dillon, Montana; when she was very young, her family moved to a farm in Madison County where she attended a one room school. She was so shy that she spent her first day of school outside, afraid to go in to be with the other children. She and her brother Ken literally walked several miles every day, often through large snow drifts, to get to school.

When Marion was nine years old, her family returned to Dillon. She graduated from Beaverhead County High School in 1942 and attended Western Montana College during the 1942-1943 school year. She then moved to Washington where she married William Enos. This marriage produced a daughter, Cheryl. Following a divorce, Marion returned to Dillon. She married Leo Williams, who was a widower with a young son, Richard. Daughters Marlene and Janice soon joined the family.

Marion was always a hard worker; she began babysitting when she was very young so she could buy her school supplies. Later she was a nurse's aide at the original Barrett Hospital in Dillon; many people remember her as the billing clerk for Vigilante Electric, where she worked for thirty-eight years. Because she was a longtime resident of Dillon, she also served as an historian for her co-workers. She belonged to the Order of Eastern Star and was an active member of the VFW auxiliary when she was younger.

Family members will always remember her chocolate cake, her yummy cinnamon rolls, her competitive nature when it came to playing board games, and her unwavering support of her grandchildren. She loved the color purple and beautiful flowers, and enjoyed working in her yard; she maintained a beautiful home until she moved to the Beehive Assisted Living two years ago. Marion looked forward to playing bingo every Thursday with the residents of the Beehive.

Marion was predeceased by her parents, Jessie and Mattie May (Roland) Ries, brothers Kenneth and Richard, and sister Virginia McQuiston, daughter Janice Harger, step-son Richard Williams, and grandson Tracy Sloan, along with numerous cousins. Survivors include sister Lela McMichael and brother John Ries, and daughters Cheryl (Dewey) Ruegsegger and Marlene (Lynn) Stonelake. Grandchildren who survive include Stacy (Sharie) Ruegsegger, Jeff Ruegsegger, Justin (Melissa) Ruegsegger, Duane (Tiffany) Ruegsegger, Kari (Matt) Stonelake-Hopkins, Heather (Steve) Stonelake-French, Hilary (Rick) Stonelake-Curtis, Jonathan (Rebecca) Stonelake, Craig Williams, and Dustin Sloan. Twenty-three great grandchildren survive along with one great great grandchild and several nephews and nieces.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. The family would like to thank Dr. Hansen and Susie Burgess, the caretakers at the Beehive, nurses from Honeybee Hospice, and Pastor Joel Smith for their dedicated and loving care of Marion. 

Marion's devotion to her family will be greatly missed.