Linda Williams, 68, of Warrenton, passed away on April 1 and is now at peace with her heavenly Father.
Linda was born October 27, 1954, and grew up in O’Fallon, where she attended Assumption Catholic School and graduated from Ft. Zumwalt High School. She fiercely loved her family and friends and they loved her back. As a wife, she was loyal and caring - a true partner for life. As a mother, she was affectionate and gentle - she didn’t miss a game or event. After Linda became “Grammy,” the adults in the room would often look around and wonder where she’d gone because she was off reading or playing with her grandkids. As a friend and sibling, she loved to catch up and laugh. She was truly kind.
You could often find Linda gardening, visiting with loved ones, going to the movies, or reading. She was a whiz in the kitchen. In fact, Linda’s love language was sugar. Her cookies, pies, and cakes celebrated babies and birthdays and empathized with illness and loss. Her kitchen drawers were stuffed to the brim with recipes with notations like, “Grady’s favorite! Very good!” She was a supreme hostess and made people feel welcome both in her home and her workplaces, such as Bhaiji Dental Arts in Wright City. Linda loved holidays with all the trimmings, but she especially loved Christmas. Her tree was overflowing with ornaments, the house was decked out in lights, and visitors’ ears were filled with Kenny G. Whatever the season, she adored giving gifts and struggled to keep anything a surprise because she was just too excited.
Black Friday was her Super Bowl. While shopping was her sport, Linda most enjoyed having the women of the family together cackling at each other’s jokes and, of course, decrying Macy’s deceptive coupon practices. Her family won’t forget her ill-fated run-in with the cart of an overzealous Bass Pro shopper or laughing until they cried about the bird loose in Dillard’s. At times, Linda’s love for her dogs seemed to teeter on the edge of obsession. As she covered up another hole in their meticulously maintained flower beds, she’d tell her daughter, “You don’t need to tell your dad about this,” as if he didn’t already know.
Grady and Linda loved to travel. When their kids were young, there were plenty of road trips to destinations near and far. Later on, Grady and Linda kept traveling and became fans of group bus trips across the country with friends. If there are bus trips in heaven, Linda’s probably signed up, but only if they don’t go to that dang candle factory again. She is so missed.
She is survived by her beloved and devoted husband of 46 years, Grady; her “sonny boy,” Adam (Erin) Williams; daughter, Ashley (Ian) Franz; and in all caps just as Linda would have put it, the “MOST WONDERFUL GRANDCHILDREN IN THE WHOLE WORLD” - Claire, Caitlin, Miles, and Reed. She also left behind her siblings, Bill Obrecht, Patti Wood, Donna Moore, Tom Obrecht, and Tim Obrecht; and many other family members and friends. Linda was predeceased by her parents, Ruth and Cyril Obrecht, and her sister, Jane Muckler.
Linda's family will host a celebration of her life on Wednesday, April 12 at Quail Ridge Lodge, 24 Columbine Lane, Wentzville. A brief memorial service at 3 p.m. will be followed by an open house reception that will end at 7 p.m. Please feel free to wear bright colors. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
