Bernice Williams

Bernice Coon "Bernie" "Bea" Williams, age 88, of Millcreek, experienced the joy of walking into the presence of Jesus, her Lord and Savior, on Tuesday, October 7, 2025. She was born in Kearsarge, PA on November 20, 1936, daughter of the late W. Stanley and Glenna Mae Shelhamer Coon.
God, her family and the piano have been a vital part of her life. Bernice was blessed to play for The Singing Believers gospel quartet for 17 years. She remained actively, playing the piano for the Lord, in many areas of service. She played for many years for the services at Garden Heights Baptist church and currently at Community Christian Church in Belle Valley.
Bernice had a very special place in her heart for the many piano students she had the privilege of teaching over many years. She was blessed at a very early age to be part of the weekly children's live radio program, "Sky Pilots", which was a Bible Club Movement program on WERC in the 40s and 50s.
Schooling was at Summit Central grade school, Academy High School, Class of 1954, and then on to Cedarville College in Ohio. Many friends were made during that time who remained good friends until her death.
In 2013, Bernice was appointed secretary of the Erie County Republican Committee, serving in that position until 2021. During that time, she made many wonderful friends and learned much about the inner working of this great country. We have been abundantly blessed by God, but we must work to keep it free.
In addition to her parents, Bernice was preceded in death by her brothers, Silas, Roger and Marlin Coon; her sister, Bernadette Schenck; nephew, Roland Coon; and great-niece, Cara Poole.
Bernice is survived by her much-loved sons, Stanley Williams (Mickey) and Ed Williams (Linda); daughter, Chris Stepanko (Tom); grandchildren, Shanna Aughenbaugh (Ryan), Stacey Hansen, Brian Brookhouser and Joe Williams; many great-grandchildren; and great-great-granddaughter, Ava. She also leaves many nieces, nephews and family, who were a major part of her life. We also cannot forget all the many Coon and Shelhamer cousins who have been such a joy through the years.
Friends may call at the Dusckas Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 2607 Buffalo Rd., on Saturday, October 11th, from 3 to 7 pm. Further visitation will be held there on Sunday, October 12th, from 1 pm until the time of the Funeral Service at 3 pm, conducted by Pastor Dan Laird of Community Christian Church and Pastor Mark Warnshuis of Garden Heights Baptist Church. Condolences may be sent to www.dusckasfuneralhomes.com.