Obituary of Barbara Ruth Williams

The earthly life of Barbara Ruth Williams of Newfane, New York ended peacefully on September 30, 2023. As promised by her Lord and Savior, in faith she has received His gift of eternal life.  She was under the loving care of her family, assisted by the staff of Niagara Hospice.

Born April 21, 1961 in Newfane, NY she was the daughter of the late Roger and Jeanne(nee Ferguson)Williams. She was the granddaughter of the late Hiram and Ruth(nee Klumpp) Ferguson and the late Arthur and Alvina(Wittcop) Williams. Predeceased by several aunts and uncles (James and Martha Ferguson, Rev. Edwin Williams, David Rhoadhouse, Kathryn and Glenn Klotzbach, and Sharon Williams), she is also survived by an aunt, Carol Williams of Omaha, NE and an uncle, Richard Williams, of Lockport, NY.

Barb is the protective big sister of Paul Williams, Newfane, NY; Norma Jeanne(John) Jacobs of Wheatfield, NY; and Robert(Kara) Williams of Orchard Park.  She is forever the loving and caring “Anut” of Siana and Mackenzie Jacobs, Carson and Olivia Wiliams, and Austin Hoelscher. Additionally, she is survived by several cousins.

Barbara was a graduate of Newfane Central Schools, Niagara County Community College, and 1984 graduate of Niagara University.  She was employed for twenty years as a Certified Public Accountant at Lumsden & McCormick, LLP, specializing in auditing school districts and not-for-profits, before venturing into consulting work. She also worked as the Treasurer/School Business Manager of the Lyndonville Central School District for six years, before becoming the District Treasurer for the Amherst Central School district for the past eleven years. Professionally she was a member of the Association of School Business Officials, NYS and Western NY Chapter and she was a past member of Zonta Club.

A lifetime member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Ridgewood, NY, Barb was actively involved with Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) both at the Zone and District levels.  She has served as both President and Convention Chair of the Niagara Zone and in various roles on the Board of Directors for the Eastern District, most recently as Financial Secretary.  

Family and friends are invited to visitation at Prudden and Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee Street, Lockport, NY on Thursday, October 5^th from 3 – 8 pm.  Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 7^th at 10:30 am at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 875 Eggert Drive, North Tonawanda with the Rev. Kenneth L. Craig and Rev. John Pingel officiating.  Burial will follow at Wrights Corner Cemetery, Lockport, New York.

Memorials may be made to Niagara Hospice, 4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport;  LWML Eastern District;  or Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, pancan.org/donate.  Visit pruddenandkandt.com