Emma Williams

Emma Williams, age 99, of Union, died Wednesday, September 28, 2005 at a local care facility. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. at the Union Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Mrs. Williams was born on February 26, 1906, the daughter of Ed and Margaret (Bainbridge) Wulf on a little farm outside of Union, Oregon. She was very close to her parents and siblings. She had wonderful stories to tell about growing up out in the country. She told about dances attended by families in the area, riding there in winter in a horse drawn carriage, wrapped in blankets and with hot rocks placed in a blanket near the passengers' feet. She loved riding horseback to the local schoolhouse, in Telecaset. She thoroughly enjoyed her high school years and graduated from Union High School in 1925. She played on the girls' championship basketball team. She was not much for studying but just loved being around her friends and sports. Her love of sports continued all her life. She always followed the Trailblazers and enjoyed listening to the games.

Mrs. Williams waited a long time for the man of her dreams, husband Lonnie "Red" Williams, to marry her. They were engaged nine years, waiting until he could afford to support a wife. They were married on October 20, 1936. Before her marriage she worked for the Union weekly paper and for the Union Post Office. She was never much for cooking, but loved keeping her little home tidy. Nothing was ever out of place. After her brother-in-law passed away, her sister, Lola Hetrick, moved in with Emma and Red and continued living there after Red died in 1978.

Mrs. Williams was active in the High Valley Auxiliary, the VFW of Union, the business women's club of Union and the T.N.T. (Today Not Tomorrow). She enjoyed cards and played in the Friendly Pinochle Club and the Lucky 13 Bridge Club. She was very social and very kind and will be missed by everyone who knew her. She relied on her friends in Union, especially, to see her through her last years. She especially loved her dear friends, Bobbie James and Nell Crosland.

Survivors include her nephew, Glen Wulf; niece, Arlene Reimers; great nieces, Lisa Higgins, Heidi Wilson, Sherry Bodeen, Sharon Hayes and Glenda Blankenship; great nephew, Mike Wulf and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, brothers, Irvin, Clifford and Roland Wulf and sister, Lola Hetrick. Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Mrs. Williams to the Union Methodist Church Senior Meals in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.