Marilyn E. Williams "Hogan" Wilson

Marilyn E. (Hogan) Williams Wilson, 99, a Gold Star Mother, died Friday, March 6, at the Christopher House in Worcester.

She was born February 5, 1927 in Worcester, daughter of Mary Maude (Gray) Hogan and John H. Hogan Jr. She lived in Worcester all her life.

Marilyn's mother died when Marilyn was seven years old. She was raised by Leonora and Henry Monroe Sr. while attending Elizabeth St. School. While attending Commerce High School, she lived with her grandmother Mary Freeman Gray and her aunts and uncle.

Marilyn loved music and took piano lessons from Grace Johnson Brown for nine years and sang in Mrs. Brown's choral group. She was proud to be selected to play "the Pinafore" on the piano at her eighth-grade graduation ceremony.

Marilyn was married to the late David Wiliams and the late Raymond Wilson Sr.

She was the mother of eight sons and two daughters. She is survived by her children Bernard Williams of Worcester, Michael Williams and his wife Donna of Worcester, Wendy Williams of Worcester, Gregory Williams and his wife Kim Yong of Korea, Vanessa Wilson of Iowa; a daughter-in-law Dannett Williams of Worcester; 15 grandchildren,14 great-grandchildren and many great-great-grandchildren.

Her son U.S. Marine Lance Corp. Ronald Williams died Dec. 4, 1967 in Vietnam. She was also predeceased by four other sons, David A. Williams, Randolph Williams, Alvin K. Williams and Raymond Wilson Jr.; and siblings John Hogan Jr., Thaddeus M. Hogan, Paul Hogan, Hazel Lee, Lena Keel, Lillian Lee, and Marjorie E. Winston.

Marilyn was a woman of great faith in God. She grew up as a member of John St. Baptist Church. She later attended Belmont St. A.M.E. Methodist Church and St. Paul's Cathedral.

Marilyn worked at the former Guaranty Bank for many years. She was also a nurse's aide and Senior Companion at R.S.V.P. She was happy when she was helping someone smile and to forget their problems. She was a volunteer at the UMass Medical Center Blood Bank and Radiology department.

Marilyn had at times a difficult life but survived some hard knocks in her long life to feel fulfilled with her children always coming first.

Funeral services are private. The Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester, is directing arrangements.