Ila Dorothy Williams

Ila D. Williams, also known as "Dorothy", was born on September 25, 1945, in Cairo, Illinois. She was the ninth of fourteen children born to Burdis and Sylvia Barnett. Ila entered eternal rest on December 23, 2025, at the age of 80.

At an early age, Ila gave her life to the Lord and believed in God with all her heart. She had a deep passion for singing for the Lord, whether by herself, with family gatherings, in a choir, or in a quartet. Her faith was strong, and she was never ashamed to share God's goodness, mercy, and grace wherever she went.

Ila valued education and service to others. She graduated with an Associate Degree in Social Work from MATC in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and used her compassion and life experience to care for and support others throughout her life.

Ila loved her family immensely. Spending time with them was always a highlight of her life. She enjoyed reminiscing with her siblings about their childhood, playing games, doing arts and crafts with her nieces and grandchildren, and serving as a caregiver to several family members. Her love, faith, and dedication to family were evident in everything she did.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Burdis Barnett and Sylvia Barnett; her husband, Wesley Williams; her siblings Cynthia Barnett, Burdis Barnett Jr., Jesse Barnett, Leon Barnett, Arthur Lee Barnett, Don Barnett, and Forest Barnett; Paul Shumpert, father of Shenell Williams and Dionne; and her granddaughters Augusta and Deanna Pillow.

Ila leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Shenell Williams; her son, Paul Shumpert; her grandchildren, Victoria, Tylatha, Malik, Paul, Lazzerick, Dionne, Trey, Zuri, and Jair; Talisha Pillow and Candice Pillow; her great-grandchildren, Ahamanii, Rameses, Candace, Cam, December, Ahktaviia, Hezekiah, Nahum, and Bellatrix; her dear friends, Shirley Henderson and Annie May Dilworth; and her siblings, Vernell Barnett, Sylvia Barnett, Larry Barnett (Regina Barnett), Mike Barnett (Pansy Barnett), Garry Barnett (Tonetta Barnett), and Paulette Shaw (Mike Shaw).

Ila will be greatly missed and never forgotten.

Service For Ila Dorothy Williams will take place on Saturday, January 10, 2026 @ 12:00 P.M. at the St. John Praise & Worship Center in Pulaski, IL. Visitation will begin at 11:00 A.M. until the funeral hour of 12:00 P.M. Funeral service will begin at 12:00 P.M. with Minister Caleb Barnett officiating and Elder Gary G. Barnett & Pastor Larry T. Barnett Eulogists. Internmnet will follow in the Mobile Cemetery in Tamms, IL.

Online condolences may be left at WWW.MASSIEFUNERALHOME.COM

Professional Service & Care Entrusted To: Massie Funeral Home in Mounds, IL 62964

Serving Illinois, Missouri & Kentucky Est. 2000

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