Patricia Winniford Williams
1937-2022
Patricia Winniford Williams died peacefully at her home on Saturday, the 8 ^th of October, 2022, surrounded by family. A fifth-generation native Houstonian, Patricia was born in Houston, Texas, on the 31 ^st of August 1937, to Frank and Callease Winniford.  A 1955 alumnus of Stephen F. Austin High School, she later graduated from the University of Houston and attended Bates College of Law.
With her husband of fifty-four years, John Mason Williams, she built a lifelong romance, business, and family.   A self-made woman, Patricia's indomitable will and force of personality was forged from her childhood memories of the depression and war.  The prism of her young adulthood focused her energies on building a better life for her family and demanding them to be better versions of themselves.  She was a relentless advocate for what she thought was right, her family, and her friends.

Patricia's strength came from an abiding faith in the Almighty.  She was a faithful servant of God whose journey led her from the Roman Catholicism of her upbringing to the Episcopal Church where she spent the remainder of her earthly life.  She raised her children in the Church, served on the Altar Guild, but found joy in the hymns and music of praise.

Patricia could be found in a variety of places over the years working with her husband in their business or at her antique shop, or volunteering at the Houston Audubon Society, St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Memorial Assistance Ministries, and with Meals on Wheels.   Among other organizations, she was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a Tea Room Patron Member of the Junior League of Houston, the Scottish Brigade Alumnae Association, and the Strake Jesuit Mother's Club.

She was artistic and creative, excelled at piano, ceramics, sewing, needlepoint, floristry, cooking, and any number of outlets most others struggle to master. Though she saw beauty in many people and places, it was in God's creation she found the most joy.  Patricia loved flowers, gardens, and animals.  Dogs, cats, birds, horses and even a turtle were her constant companions.  She rehabilitated injured wildlife, took in strays, and cared for numerous feral cats and occasionally even the people that came with them.  That she passed the feast week of St. Francis cannot be coincidence.

Her parents, brother Frank, and infant son Patrick precede her in death.

She is survived by her husband, John, daughters, Larissa Botik (Greg), Holly Waterhouse (Frank) and son Tate Williams (Katherine); stepsons John Williams (Cheryl), Vernon Williams (Yo Yo) and stepdaughter Renee Williams; sister Marilyn Winniford; grandchildren, Peyton Botik, Preston Botik, Caroline Botik, Collin Waterhouse, Trinity Waterhouse, Anneliese Williams, and Asher Williams; and  step-grandchildren, Tuppence Weix (Todd), Amber Williams, Zachary Williams (Amber); Ryan Clements (Noureen), Robert Williams, Rex Williams and numerous step great-grandchildren.   Many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends also survive Patricia.

She leaves lasting memories with all who knew her.

Visitation will be from five to seven o'clock on Thursday, the 13 ^th of October at Carnes Brothers Funeral Home, 1201 23 ^rd Street in Galveston.  The funeral service is to be at eleven o'clock on Friday, the 14 ^th of October, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 2216 Ball in Galveston, Rev. Jimmy Abbott, officiant.  The family will gather for a private interment at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston accompanied by bagpipes.
In lieu of customary remembrances and floral tributes, the family requests that memorial contributions be directed to Trinity Episcopal Church (2216 Ball, Galveston TX 77550), the Houston Humane Society ( P.O. Box 450528, Houston, TX 77245-0528) or the charity of your choice.