In Memory Of
Lila Ann Williams
1925
2023
Lila Ann Williams
March 3, 1925 — June 8, 2023
Lila Ann "Polly" Williams passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of June 8, 2023 at the Healthcare Resort of Topeka. She was 98 years old.
Polly was born in Topeka, Kansas on March 3, 1925 to William H. and Anna R (Richter) Kern. She attended Harrison Elementary School and Roosevelt Junior High. She graduated with honors from Topeka High School in May of 1943. Following high school, she was employed as a secretary at the Topeka office of New England Mutual Life Insurance Company.
On July 21, 1944, Polly married longtime school sweetheart, Pvt. John Roland Williams, just prior to Williams' deployment in the European Theater of Operations under Gen. George S. Patton. She remained in Topeka with her mother until his return from active service in 1946. During the Korean conflict, the couple moved to Mineral Wells, Texas and then to Fort Benning, Georgia, then settled back in Topeka in 1956, where they remained.
Following Roland Williams' release from the active military and transfer to the Kansas National Guard, the couple continued to work for New England Life, Roland as an agent and Polly as a secretary. In the spring of 1958, the couple adopted a baby girl whom they named Kristi Ann, and in October of 1959, they gave birth to a son, Todd Roland. Polly returned to work at New England following a 15-year hiatus to take care of the children and served as Roland's secretary at the insurance agency and its subsidiary, Midwest Pension Planners, until the couple retired in 1982. John Roland Williams passed away on June 30, 2004 at the age of 79. She is also preceded in death by her son in law, Charles Baker, infant grandson, and an infant great granddaughter.
Polly is survived by her children, Kristi (Williams) Baker-Lampe (James) and, Todd Roland Williams (Kathleen) and both of Topeka. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Barbara McCall (John) of Olathe, Elizabeth Baker-Emery (Shawn) of Meriden, and Parker Roland Williams of Topeka; and great grandchildren Joshua Dillon McCall, Jacob Robert McCall, Mason Charles Baker, and Drake Burton Emery.
Graveside Services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at Memorial Park Cemetery 3616 SW 6th Ave, Topeka, KS 66606.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Kansas National Guard Museum 125 SE Airport Dr, Topeka, KS 66619.
To leave a message for her family online, please visit the guestbook below.
Polly was born in Topeka, Kansas on March 3, 1925 to William H. and Anna R (Richter) Kern. She attended Harrison Elementary School and Roosevelt Junior High. She graduated with honors from Topeka High School in May of 1943. Following high school, she was employed as a secretary at the Topeka office of New England Mutual Life Insurance Company.
On July 21, 1944, Polly married longtime school sweetheart, Pvt. John Roland Williams, just prior to Williams' deployment in the European Theater of Operations under Gen. George S. Patton. She remained in Topeka with her mother until his return from active service in 1946. During the Korean conflict, the couple moved to Mineral Wells, Texas and then to Fort Benning, Georgia, then settled back in Topeka in 1956, where they remained.
Following Roland Williams' release from the active military and transfer to the Kansas National Guard, the couple continued to work for New England Life, Roland as an agent and Polly as a secretary. In the spring of 1958, the couple adopted a baby girl whom they named Kristi Ann, and in October of 1959, they gave birth to a son, Todd Roland. Polly returned to work at New England following a 15-year hiatus to take care of the children and served as Roland's secretary at the insurance agency and its subsidiary, Midwest Pension Planners, until the couple retired in 1982. John Roland Williams passed away on June 30, 2004 at the age of 79. She is also preceded in death by her son in law, Charles Baker, infant grandson, and an infant great granddaughter.
Polly is survived by her children, Kristi (Williams) Baker-Lampe (James) and, Todd Roland Williams (Kathleen) and both of Topeka. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Barbara McCall (John) of Olathe, Elizabeth Baker-Emery (Shawn) of Meriden, and Parker Roland Williams of Topeka; and great grandchildren Joshua Dillon McCall, Jacob Robert McCall, Mason Charles Baker, and Drake Burton Emery.
Graveside Services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at Memorial Park Cemetery 3616 SW 6th Ave, Topeka, KS 66606.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Kansas National Guard Museum 125 SE Airport Dr, Topeka, KS 66619.
To leave a message for her family online, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lila Ann Williams, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Graveside Service
Thursday, June 22, 2023
Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)
6th & Gage
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