Betty Jean Williams, 92

Betty Jean Wright Williams passed away June 19, 2023, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, at the age of 92. She was preceded in death by her husband, Borden (Bill) James; her son, Steven James; and two siblings, William and James.

Betty was born Jan. 17, 1931, in Bokoshe, Okla. She was one of six children. At the end of WWII, her family moved to California, where she finished high school and met her husband, Bill Williams. They were married after a short three-week courtship in May of 1952. Everyone said it wouldn’t last, but Bill and Betty were married for 47 years before Bill’s death in 1998.

She helped raise her family while living in California, Alaska, Washington and Oregon. Then in 2000, Betty moved to Hayden, Idaho, where she became very involved with the Hayden Senior Center and Dalton Gardens Church of Christ, where she taught lady's Bible class and helped in the soup kitchen.

Bill and Betty had three sons, Michael, Steven and Gary. Tragically, their son, Steve, died at 17 in a car accident. Betty is survived by her sons, Mike and Gary; grandchildren Christopher, Nicki, Melissa, Jessica and Alexander. There are also 17 great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by all.

A Celebration of Betty’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Aug. 6, 2023, at Dalton Gardens Church of Christ. Please visit Betty’s online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.