Royce Lorene Williams died February 28, 2006, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She was born January 7, 1916, in Bernie, Mo. She was the third of five children born to Roy and Elsie Woods. Her siblings were Nadine Harmon, Maxine O'Heren and R.B. Woods, who all preceded her in death. One sister, Betty Branum, survives and lives in Bernie. Lorene married Jerry Beckman of Bernie in 1934. He died February 14, 1939.

Lorene graduated from the University of Missouri with a nursing degree. Here she met Dick Williams, who she later married. A daughter, Kay, was born and she lives with her husband, Gene Beck, in Santa Fe. Dick died June 24, 2000.

Lorene worked as a nurse in several areas and eventually joined Blue Cross Blue Shield headquartered in Washington D.C. as the head of Major Medical. She was active in Girl Scouts, PEO and MYF. After retiring to Santa Fe, Lorene became an active member of St. Johns Methodist Church. Memorial services were held Tuesday, March 21, 2006, in the church chapel.

Paid