Lee F. Williams

THORNDIKE -- Lee F. (Sulpice) Williams, 87, of Thorndike went on to be with her heavenly Father on May 25, 2011, after many months of battling lung cancer. She was born on July 11, 1923, to Florence and Frederick Sulpice. She was the oldest of five children. She lost her father when she was only 8, and helped her mother raise her younger siblings, whom she adored. Because she lost her father so young, she treasured her relationship with her heavenly Father. She relied on God's word, and posted scriptures on the doorposts. She made sure that her children knew how important church was to her. She taught them about giving and was always willing to sacrifice for them. Lee worked at many different jobs, from painting for the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad to housekeeping at Colby College. She spent many years working at Grants in Waterville, and also enjoyed volunteering her free time to teaching children to read.

Although Lee loved living in the big city, she followed her husband's dream of raising their seven children in the country by moving from Bronx, N.Y., to Freedom, Maine. Even though it was a cultural shock to her, she learned to plant a garden (the first year with teaspoons!) and freeze the harvest. They raised chickens, pigs and cows, and struggled daily with the hardships of lack and isolation.

Lee enjoyed working beside her husband of 60 years as he made homemade wooden crafts that she painted. They would often give away their toys after watching children's eyes light up. She enjoyed being a Brownie leader, gardening, tole painting, traveling to craft shows and attending church, but most of all, she loved being with her children and grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband, Richard; and two grandchildren, Trisha Johnson and Angela Hubbard.

Survivors include her children, Carol Hustus and husband Sterling of Avon Park, Fla., Linda Johnson and husband William of Thorndike, Dorothy Waterman and husband James of Freedom, Jane Hubbard and husband Bruce of Unity, Richard Williams and wife Dorothy of Gardner, Mass., Eileen Williams of Oregon, and Kathleen Hughes of Colorado; her siblings, Gwen Phieffer and husband Mark of Miami, Fla., Carol Miller and husband Walter of California, and Paul and Henry Sulpice; grandchildren Karen O'Riley and husband Randy, David Hustus and wife Chris, Robin Day, Jason Johnson and wife Heidi, Julie Evenson and husband Jon, Travis Johnson, Kevin Waterman and wife Tracie, Eric Waterman and wife Cathy, Jordan, Rebecca, Jonathan, Jacob, Joshua, Tobey Johnson, Brian Johnson, Aaliyah Johnson, Jenna Johnson, Kirby Hubbard, Adam Hubbard, Daniel Williams, Mark Williams, Samuel Williams, Michael Williams, Amanda Hughes and Zachary Hughes; great-grandchildren Rebecca, Jesse, Timothy, Kaitlyn, Keri, Brad, Abby, Spencer, Nathan, Kaley, Kelsey, Makaya, Alyson, Madison, Rhiannon, Shane, Brenden, Alexis, Ethan, Scarlet and Stephen; and one great-great-grandchild, Kane.

Funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 28, 2011, at Knox Ridge Baptist Church with Pastor John Tabor officiating. Burial will be held at noon Wednesday, June 8 at Maine Veterans Cemetery, Mount Vernon Road, Augusta. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.ripostafh.com.