June 9, 1938 - Dec. 27, 2014

Judy passed away peacefully in her sleep on Dec. 27, 2014. She was 76 years old, but a very young, special lady.

Judy wrote this obit some years ago: "I leave this life on earth as we all know it to go into the unknown. My first thought is from an article I found, "Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, latte' in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, Woo Hoo, what a ride!!!!

"Yes, I have lived my life with many twists and turns. I was born on June 9, 1938, in Kellogg, Idaho, to Kenneth and Marie (Traut) Rand. In the eyes of a child, my life was good. I attended schools in both Kellogg and Everett, Wash. Like any other family, we had our good times and bad times; life is what we make it.

"I hope to meet up with those who preceded me in death, my mother Marie, my father Pee Wee, and all of my ancestors. I want those ancestors to know how hard I have worked over the past 20 years to find them in my genealogy pursuit.

"While here on earth, I have been a shy, quiet child. With the many moves we made, it was hard to make new friends, but I managed. Over the years, I experienced some wonderful times such as being a cheerleader in my senior year at Everett High School, running Bloomsday 20 years in a row and making a quilt that indicates those runs at Bloomsday. I was involved with the Lilac Association in Spokane for three years, two years as a chaperon and one year as a member working on various committees. I also worked as a volunteer at the Christmas Bureau for many years.

"In 1960 I married Joe Ross. We had three children: Shelley (Butler, Calia), Joe Jr. Ross, and Connie (Bowman). After 25 years, we divorced. I remained single for the next 15 years, and that's when I met Dick Williams. We married in June of 1998 and spent our retirement years traveling, jeeping, and every four years, debating with each other over politics. With our families combined, we had six adult children and 11 grandchildren, and I have five great-grandsons and two great- granddaughters.

"I worked most of those years for Safeco Insurance and the Department of Welfare and Corrections. I will miss many of those who I knew throughout the years.

"I thank God for my time on earth and hope I gave something back. I look forward to meeting my ancestors. I will miss my family here on earth and will follow their lives as they live on.

"As the years of retirement go by, I again would like to quote from a card I found, "Life is like a roll of toilet paper, and the closer it gets to the end the faster it goes."

Judy is survived by her husband, Dick Williams; daughters Shelley Calia and Connie Bowman; and son Joe Ross, Jr.; sister Phyllis Rodgers; and brothers Rick and Tony Unruh.

Her family thanks Clare Bridge and Hospice of Spokane for all the loving care they gave Judy while she lived there.

We will have a "Celebration of Judy's life" at 3 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23, 2015, at the North Spokane Eagles Lodge, 6410 N. Lidgerwood, Spokane, Wash.