Esther E. Williams
February 12, 2025

Esther Williams Obituary

Death was woefully ill-prepared in September 1986 when it made its first attempt at stealing away the life of Esther Elizabeth (Weir) Williams, of Greene, New York. Death finally dropped its collaboration with diverticulosis after failing a second attempt in 1992. Esther spent her bonus years living life to its fullest until Death finally found a willing co-conspirator in dementia. Even then, Esther remained fiercely independent until she got her way in being able to enter the Life Triumphant on Wednesday, February 12, from the comfort of her own bed in the house she loved.

Esther entered the world November 2, 1940 at the Ithaca, New York, home of her parents Howard and Myrtie Weir.

When she was young, the family moved to Brisben, New York, which would remain the family homestead for decades. With regular visits to see grandparents in Plymouth, New York, and Guilford, New York, she developed a love of car rides at a young age. After graduating from Greene Central Schools in 1958, she went to work for the Page Seed Company and then the Raymond Corporation. Discovering in the man she would go on to marry in September 1961, Bill Williams, someone who enjoyed dancing and car rides as much as she did, led to a lifetime of perpetually embarrassing their children any time a dance floor was present (although Roxanne, Jeff, and Matt would later grow to cherish those moments) and of vacations spent driving to museums, airports, and historical sites around New York State. Growing up with five siblings, Esther possessed an ability to fiercely guard her individuality while also loving generously. After Roxanne and Jeff were born, she became a stay-at-home mom for many years and welcomed countless “bonus kids” whom she babysat or fostered. She returned to the workforce with a position at Countinghouse, Inc. when Matt started school. She then retired as a teller from NBT Bank. A common thread throughout her life was a dedication to her faith, to fellowship, and to service. She served in too many roles over the years to list here, but Esther found significant meaning in being involved in the fellowship of First United Methodist Church of Greene and missed it terribly when dementia made it challenging to attend. When she was not doing something at church or doting on her children, as a young mother and wife, she could be found attempting to be crafty with the Home Bureau or selling Tupperware. She later became active with the Performing Arts Forum of Greene, Town of Greene Historical Society, Greene Lionettes, Monday night women’s bowlingleague, Greene Model Railroad Club, Ladies of the Lake at Sky Lake Camp & Retreat Center, lay member to Upper New York Annual Conference, and as a charter member of the Greene branch of the Red Hat Society.

Esther was greeted into Eternal Glory by her dancing partner and husband, William B. Williams, and their baby boy, Christopher John. She was also welcomed by her parents, Howard A. and Myrtie L. (Salisbury) Weir; her brothers, Robert and Frank; her sister, Joan (Weir) Rifanburg, and cherished grandparents, in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, classmates, friends, and neighbors.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Roxanne M. and Robert J. Bell; son and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey A. and Lynn M. (Boudreau) Williams; and son, Matthew J. Williams. Also surviving are her grandchildren: Cristalle Tormey, Jennifer Tormey, Brendon and Cecily Williams, Monica Williams, and Madeline (Bell) and Erick Peterson.

While she struggled to remember how they were related to her, Esther never ceased to express how cute and loved they were whenever she was shown a photo or video of her surviving great-grandchildren, Alexia and Maverick. Esther would also want everyone to know that her “older sister,” Ann (Weir) Morey, and her “baby brother,” James Weir, survive to share memories of her, as do Frank’s widow, Anne, and Jim’s wife, Terri. Long before dementia set in, Esther would consistently mix up the names of her many surviving nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and cousins, but that never diminished her love for each of them. Finally, the family would also like to acknowledge the love and care Michelle Cleveland extended to our mom/gramma/sister/aunt almost daily for the past five years. Far more than just a caregiver, Michelle became a second daughter to Esther and made it possible for her to live and die on her own terms.

Calling hours and services will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Greene on Friday, April 25, 2025. The family will collect hugs and memories at the church from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Service of a Celebration of Life will begin at 1 p.m. Immediately following that, the family will go to Sylvan Lawn Cemetery for a committal service, but all are welcome to remain at the church for a light meal to be served upon the return of the family. Cards of condolence can be mailed to: The Williams Family, PO BOX 5, Greene, NY 13778. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to The Sky Lake Foundation (skylakecenter.org/donate) or to First United Methodist Church of Greene (fumcgreene.com) Always one to embrace the frivolity of life, Esther did express a desire to be late to her own funeral and for her casket to be opened at the end so she could sit up and stick her tongue out one last time; however, the family would invite attendees to wear purple or something featuring butterflies instead. Arrangements are under the direction of Root Funeral Home, 23 N. Chenango St, Greene, NY 13778 and condolences may be sent to the family at www.rootfh.com.

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