Phyllis Evelyn Sproul Williams

Phyllis Evelyn Sproul Williams, 94, passed away on Sunday, May 28, 2023, at her home in Twinsburg Ohio.

Phyllis was born on February 8, 1929 in Westbrook, Maine to the late Rufus H. Sproul and the late Elsie L. [Bragdon] Sproul.  She spent her childhood growing up in Maine and although she was an only child, she was surrounded by her grandparents, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.  Throughout her life, Maine held a warm place in her heart, where she stored many fond memories.

Phyllis graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a BS in Mathematics.  She was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority. After graduation, she worked as an Engineering Assistant for General Electric Co. in Pittsfield, MA and then as a computer programmer for M. I. T. at Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, MA. It was in Pittsfield where she met her future husband of 61 years, Earl Thomas Williams.

Together they lived in Lynchburg, Virginia; Ilion, New York; and Mentor, Ohio from 1958 until 2006, where they raised 3 children. After having her 1st child, Phyllis retired and was actively involved in her children’s activities and in her community.  Aside from her dedication to her children, her social life centered around good friends, holiday picnics, neighborhood bridge groups, and many hobbies and interests. She was a member of the Mentor United Methodist Church and the Ruth-Esther Circle of that church.  She worked on many crafts for the Gingerbread House.

She was a highly intelligent and creative woman who enjoyed sewing, gardening, a variety of crafts, dancing, antiquing, and genealogy.  Her passion for genealogy, which began long before the .com era, had her spending hours of research at libraries and cemeteries, as well as letter writing to fellow genealogy enthusiasts and historians. She discovered her family line took her back to kings and queens, passengers on the mayflower, a Salem witch, and Colorado gold minors, to name a few.  Eventually she wrote regular informative genealogy columns in the local paper.

She was a member and past president of the Lake County Genealogical Society and a former member of the New Connecticut Chapter, D. A. R., the Hendrick Meese Vrooman Chapter, National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century, Northeast Ohio Computer- Aided Genealogy Society and The Mayflower Society.

After Earl retired in 1989, they became snowbirds and enjoyed an active social life and many travel adventures.   They eventually became dual residents of Punta Gorda, FL and Twinsburg, Ohio.  She was an associate member of the Burnt Store Presbyterian Church in Punta Gorda, Florida.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl; brothers-in-law, Verne Augustin MacDonald and Roger Kitto Williams, and his wife Virginia [Ginny].

She is survived by her son, Thomas Earl Williams and his wife, Marybeth; daughters, Ellen Louise Williams and Sara Jane Wood and her husband Scott; and grandchildren, Brian Thomas Williams, Sean Robert Wood, and Allie Elizabeth Wood.  She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Marian MacDonald and many nieces and nephews.

A private service and burial will be held at a future date at Oakdale Cemetery in Sanford, Maine, where she will be laid to rest next to her husband, Earl. Condolences and special memories of Phyllis can be shared with her family online at www.heritagecremationsociety.com

Heritage Cremation & Burial Society
(330) 875-5770