JUDY WILLIAMS, Obituary

BILLINGS Judy L. Williams, 40, of Billings, formerly of Thompson Falls, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2002, at her home.

A vigil service was held Sunday at St. Bernards Catholic Church. Funeral Mass was at 11 a.m. today at St. Bernards Catholic Church. Cremation was to follow services.

Judy was born on June 8, 1962, in Rochester, N.Y., the daughter of Chuck and Lola Bollinger. As an infant, she moved to Tennessee and then to Piqua, Ohio, where she graduated from Piqua High School. Judy then attended the local community college for a time before her adventurous free spirit brought her to Montana at the age of 21.

She found her home first in Missoula, surrounded by the mountains she loved. In Missoula, she met her future husband, Bob Williams. They were married on Nov. 1, 1985.

In the late 1980s the family moved to Thompson Falls, where they lived for 10 years. During that time, Judy was a manager at the Elks Lodge and also worked various other jobs. In 1996, the family moved to Portland, Ore., where her husband attended college. In Portland, Judy drove school bus.

Judy always looked forward to getting back to Montana, and was happy when the family moved to Havre after Bob's graduation. She felt at home in Havre and made many friends here. While living up on the Hi-Line, Judy became a floral designer and also was a member of the Havre Eagles Lodge. She truly loved life in Havre and missed so many of her friends when the family moved to Billings in January 2000.

Judy was delighted in entertaining friends and having company over. She loved to play card games, especially hand and foot. Her dog, Brandy, was a special comfort to her when times were tough.

Survivors include her husband, Bob; daughter Sarah; parents, Chuck and Lola Bollinger of Penn Run, Pa.; sisters, Jan (Doyle) Richardson of Stuart, Fla., and Jackie (Tom) Norman of Tullahoma, Tenn.; brother, Jim (Yolanda) Bollinger of Evans, Ga.; her husband's parent's, Ralph and Jean Williams of Missoula; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.