Obituary for Kimberly Williams
Kim Williams passed away Monday, July 23, 2018 after fighting a long battle with cancer. Her strength, love, and devotion to her family never wavered.
Kim was born November 29, 1952 to Wally and Arlla Widlund in Red Bluff, California. Kim had a wonderful childhood full of many happy memories with her parents, including raising pigs with her brother, David.
She attended school in Red Bluff until her senior year, when she went to New Zealand as an exchange student. In New Zealand Kim was so warmly embraced by the Spooners, her host family, that she considered them family forever.
When she returned home from New Zealand she moved to Pocatello, Idaho to attend school at Idaho State University. During her college years Kim met the love of her life, Randy. They were married in Red Bluff on November 24, 1973 and were happily married for over 44 years.
After graduating with a Bachelors in Education she taught for a few years but took a break from teaching when she found out she was going to be a mother. For the next ten years Kim devoted herself to raising her daughters, Laura and Katie. She then went on to accept a teaching job for American Falls Middle School, where she worked until her retirement in May of 2015.
Her love for teaching and devotion for her students were recognized in 2007 when she received the highest teaching award from the National Middle School Association: Distinguished Educator of the Year. Shortly thereafter Kim also received the award for Idaho Educator of the Year.
After retirement Kim enjoyed golfing with her girlfriends, girl time with her daughters and labor union discussions with her son-in-law. Being a grandma to her little guys was priority, but she especially treasured passing time and traveling with her beloved husband.
Kim is survived by her husband, Randy; her two daughters, Laura Ditto and Katie (J.D.) Shappart; her brother, David (Nina) Widlund of Chico, California; and her four grandsons (little guys): Jon, Ben, Bryer and Emmett.
She was preceded in death by her parents Wally and Arlla Widlund, and her father-in-law Claude Williams.
Family will receive friends at a gathering from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 27, 2018 at Wilks Funeral Home 211 W. Chubbuck Road. Memorial services will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 28, 2018 at the funeral home.