On the day of December 13th, 2019, Judy A. Williams of Joplin, laid her head on her pillow to go to sleep, but never woke up. Judy, a coal miner's daughter, was born on December 15, 1926 in Alton, Ohio.
At the age of seven, Judy's mother, Lucy Morrison, died from a stroke. Afterwards, Judy moved to southern California to live with her aunt and uncle.
In May of 1943 she received her high school diploma from Los Angeles Hollywood Bowl. It was during World War II. The following Monday, Judy boarded a Greyhound Bus to Los Alamos, New Mexico, Atomic Bomb Proving Grounds, to work for the U.S. Government. There she worked among the world's top scientists, and became socially acquainted. Among them, the noted atomic research scientist, J.R. Oppenheimer.
In 1960 she met Jim Williams of Joplin, both were mourning the recent death of their spouses. Her husband, Alvin Bischoff, a military officer, died in an auto accident. Jim's wife, Donna, unexpectedly died of a massive brain hemorrhage in Eureka, California. Previously Judy lived two years on a U.S. Military Base in Germany.
In 1960 she met Jim Williams of Joplin, both were mourning the recent death of their spouses. Her husband, Alvin Bischoff, a military officer, died in an auto accident. Jim's wife, Donna, unexpectedly died of a massive brain hemorrhage in Eureka, California. Previously Judy lived two years on a U.S. Military Base in Germany.
In the summer of 1962, Judy and Jim became man and wife. At that time, Judy had two sons, a daughter, and Jim had a son. Dating they shared the same elusive dream, to travel to far away places with strange sounding names.
In the year of sixty-three, Jim accepted employment with "AMOSEAS" an American Oil Company in Tripoli, Libya. With bags packed, the family boarded a 737 jet, flying into the wild blue yonder. Thus began Judy's 26 years of travel and adventures into 70 foreign lands. Overseas residences were Chile, England, Libya, Peru, St. Croix, and Saudi Arabia.
By journey's end, Judy's personal travels took her to some of the most picturesque and remote locations in the world. She visited the Amazon Jungles, majestic peaks of Mt. Everest, Burma Road, Tibet, and ancient Egyptian pyramids along the Nile. Most stunning were the tropical isles of Bali, Fiji, Seychelles, and the Caribbean. Just as impressive were Kenya's National Parks and Game Reserves where thousands of animals roamed, and the tremendous waterfalls of Iquazu, Brazil, the largest waterfall in the world.
Saudi Arabia was the only foreign country that allowed Judy to be employed. When Jim received his Saudi work permit, the government issued Judy one. During her twelve years of employment with ARAMCO's school system, Judy held three different jobs: Swimming teacher (Judy was a certified Red Cross Swimming Instructor), bus coordinator for twenty school buses, and administrative assistant to the school's principal.
In 1989 the Williams' retired and returned to Joplin. Judy joined the "Y" for swimming exercises, and to meet new friends. She was also a competitive swimmer and loved to play tennis. In 1998 she competed in the "Over 60 Olympics" in Joplin, and won first and second place medals in most categories of swimming strokes. She also was an active volunteer with NALA, where she taught English for over 22 years to people from many different countries.
Judy is survived by her husband of 57 years, Jim Williams; sons, Dirk Williams and wife Monica of Mountain Home, Arkansas, Robert Bischoff and wife Alice of Waynesville, Missouri; John Bischoff and wife Noi of Bangkok, Thailand; daughter, Gale Carter and husband Mitch of Coca, Florida; grandson, Paul; granddaughters, Timmie, Natalie, Niki; and a great grandson, Carlos.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.
Services will be held at a later date.
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