Ruth M. Williams

Mrs. Ruth M Williams, age 77, passed away suddenly on January 12, 2026 at her home in Polk City Florida.

The only child of Frank and Madeleine Doyle, Ruth was born in Brockton, Massachusetts on July 3, 1948. A longtime resident of Polk City, Florida, she and husband Stephen G. Williams (deceased) moved from Cape Cod Massachusetts in the mid-1980's as did their lifelong friends Jerry and Alice Denesha. Ruth lovingly tolerated Steve and Jerry's passion for automobiles and racing. With love and empathy, "Auntie" Ruth often seemed to be part of the Denesha family as the children Marie, Cheryl, Shelly, and Dan grew and started lives of their own. Ruth was grateful for the support Marie and Dan provided in her last years. Ruth retired from Sears after a long career in retail management for various department stores. Indeed she met her future husband Steve at Bradlee's department store in Dennisport, Massachusetts.

Ruth's passion of course was animals. Growing up on a farm she loved ponies and goats and learned to communicate with animals at an early age. Later, she was never without some combination of dogs and cats close at hand. Indeed, she took the measure of a person by how well they regarded animals. Ruth supported many animal charities, among them Best Friends Animal Sanctuary of Utah and Polk County Humane Society. She spoke highly of Dr. Gedeon at Marcum Road Animal Hospital and was always grateful for the many years caring for her pets.

Ruth is survived by in-laws Andy and Lynne Williams of Charlotte, North Carolina; nephew Keith Williams of Fort Mill, South Carolina; and niece Kara Williams of Leicester North Carolina.

The family will receive friends for a Visitation on Monday, January 19 from 1:30 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. at Lakeland Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens. Interment will follow visitation at 3:00 P.M.. The family requests that in lieu flowers, donations be made to the Polk County Humane Society.