Lurita Janine Williams, known to her friends as “Willie”, born as Lurita J. Ellis in Commerce, Oklahoma on June 30th, 1933, was taken up to be with our Lord and Savior in heaven on May 17, 2015 in Edmond, Oklahoma. The daughter of Houston and Florence Ellis, she graduated from North Miami High School in 1949.
Dear Cathy,
I am so sorry for your loss. On behalf of all of us at Armstrong Auditorium, we send our condolences and wishes for your comfort and peace, both to you and your extended family.
With deepest sympathy,
Shane Granger
I first met Willie in the early 90s, when I was in the military and she was the Civilian Personnel Officer for the CAC Commanding General, LTG Wilson “Dutch’ Shoffner. Few people were more difficult to please than LTG Shoffner; he was tough. But it was clear from their interactions in meetings that he highly respected and cherished her–from my perspective, one of the few people on post who commanded and enjoyed such respect from the CG.
When I returned to Leavenworth some six years later as a Dept of the Army Civilian, I was fortunate to regularly work with Willie. She was the consummate professional–always available, helpful, patient, and exceptionally knowledgeable. If she did not have an immediate answer to one of my many questions, she always quickly got back to me with the right answer. Her smile and gentle nature brightened any room. She was kind, thoughtful, and had a wonderful sense of humor. Few people worked as hard as she did.
If anyone deserved the high praise and respect she heard upon her retirement, it was Willie. All of us at Fort Leavenworth missed her greatly after she left. Without question, she was the epitome of the word “lady.” She is truly unforgettable.
Dennis Tighe, retired Army, Parkville, MO