Phyllis Williams

Phyllis Cecile Williams, longtime Matanuska Valley resident, passed away Friday, March 3, 2023 in Palmer, Alaska at the age of 95.

Phyllis was born September 22,1927 to Carl and Muriel Johnson and grew up on a farm in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada. With her five sisters, she enjoyed sharing the work and joys of family and living on a farm.

After graduating in 1950 from three years of nursing training at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta, Phyllis decided she wanted to explore and see the country. She worked as a nurse in California, Michigan, Colorado, and Wyoming before coming to Anchorage to work at Providence Hospital back when it was on L street. It was here that she met her soulmate Bob Williams, a logger in Palmer. Bob had grown up in Canada 7 miles from Phyllis and had given her the first valentine she had ever received when he was 8 years old, and she was 7. They had lost touch over the years, but independently moved to Alaska. After reconnecting in 1958, the sparks of that first valentine were reignited. They were married September 14, 1959.

Phyllis’ strong Christian faith guided and grounded her daily life and marriage. She was also the consummate nurse, a natural caregiver, who was always conscientious of others’ needs. She loved family meals, road trips to Seldovia and Canada, and was always ready for new adventures. During her homesteading days, she once shot and killed a black bear that had been getting into their chickens, while Bob was out logging. She loved gardening, church, and raising her three children – Bob, David, and Carla. In later years, Phyllis enjoyed spending time with family, especially grandchildren, and playing the card game Canasta. She loved life, eschewed extravagance, and discouraged needless waste. She appreciated drinking the water drained from boiling her carrots and encouraged others not to waste the water after boiling their vegetables.

Phyllis will be lovingly remembered by her children: Bob (Connie), David (Cheryl) and Carla (Lance) Swick; grandchildren: Kevin, Cassidy (Ian), Billy, Kimberly, and Alex; sisters: Miriam Galloway and Sheila (Herman) Thorsen; as well as Cindy (Jason) Collins and Ken (Nicole) Kelpe, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was predeceased by her parents Carl and Muriel Johnson; husband Bob Williams; sisters Esther Foss, Fay Bacon, and Shirley Kelpe; in-laws Warren Foss, Dick Bacon, and Rich Kelpe.

The funeral will be at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wasilla on Wednesday, March 8th at 3 pm.