Bettie Jane Williams

Bettie Jane Williams, 92, of Traverse City, passed away on June 7, 2015. She was born on February 6, 1923 in Port Huron, MI, to Daisy (Burns) & Orvill Holm. On July 24, 1943, she married John Edward Masterson just before he left for WWII. Upon his return, she followed his career to various stateside and overseas locations while raising four children. With the two boys, the Air Force sent them to California, Hawaii, Okinawa (Debra was born), South Carolina, Mississippi, Japan (Laura was born), Mississippi, Maine and Michigan. Packing and unpacking became a ho-hum thing. In 1968, following the death of her husband, she moved to the Traverse City area. There she met Johnny Williams, a local radio/TV personality whom she later married in 1977. With this marriage, she gained three additional children, Leslie, Jon and David. Her dearly loved stepdaughter Leslie visited often and brought her many hours of pleasure. She worked at Birchwood Nursing home for a number of years where she met many people who remained friends throughout her life. After retirement, one dear friend, Sue Swain of Logan, OH, became her travelling companion roaming all over Michigan and venturing as far away as Florida, Maine and NYC. Bettie enjoyed the Saturday night Contemporary Service at the First Congregational Church in Traverse City. She enjoyed golfing, playing bunko, reading and knitting. In her later years, she spent winters in Michigan with her daughter Laura and summers in Maine with her son Tom, where she looked forward to watching and listening to the loons. She was predeceased by her parents, husbands, siblings Burns Holm, Margaret Woodward and Mary Kersten, as well as her stepchildren Leslie and David Williams. She is survived by her son John Masterson (Sylvie) of El Paso, TX, son Tom Masterson (Catharine) of Windham, ME, daughter Debra Mohrhardt (Craig) of Traverse City, daughter Laura Alexander (Ralph) of Traverse City and stepson Jon Williams (Patricia) of Euless, TX. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews as well as numerous other loving relatives. Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 25, 2015 from 4-7pm at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 11am on Friday June 26, 2015 at the First Congregational Church in Traverse City. Memorial contributions may be directed to the First Congregational Church Garden of Remembrance fund. Kindly share thoughts and memories of Bettie on her online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

Bettie Jane Williams

February 6, 1923 - June 7, 2015