Janet Williams

1934 - 2021

Janet Elaine (Riley) Williams January 5, 2021 Janet Elaine (Riley) Williams, 86, died Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at the Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, CO. She was born June 3, 1934 at the family farm in the Sunflower Community near Mitchell, NE to James Gordon Riley, Sr. and Emma (Kurtz) Riley. Janet attended Sunflower Consolidated School kindergarten through eighth grade and graduated from Mitchell High School with the class of 1952. After graduation, she was employed as time clerk and then secretary-treasurer of the Pathfinder Irrigation District in Mitchell. She was married to Robert "Bob" L. Williams of Mitchell on June 18, 1954 by Rev. Lawrence Dry at the Federated Church in Mitchell. From June 1954 to June 1955 they lived in Elgin, IL where she was employed in the sales research department at Elgin National Watch Company, where her husband attended Elgin Watchmakers College. June 1955 they returned to Mitchell and she returned to the secretary- treasurer position at the Pathfinder Irrigation District. Their first child, Bradley, was born at Scottsbluff while living at Mitchell. They moved to Crawford, NE in March of 1957 where they established their first jewelry store. While living there two more children, Kathleen and Jeffrey, were born. In July 1965, they moved the business, Williams Jewelers, to Alliance, NE. She worked alongside her husband for 42 years until his sudden death, July 25, 1999. She and her oldest son, Bradley, continued the business after Bob's death. She retired in April of 2003. She took an active part in helping with and following her children's many activities. She was involved with the Emerson P.T.A., was a leader for Cub Scouts, Blue Birds, Campfire, 4-H and Y-Teen Mothers. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed attending and cheering them on in their various activities and sporting events. Over the years special pets were her Dachshunds, Corky, Willy, Toby and Emmy, which she enjoyed taking for daily walks. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where she served as an Elder, Deacon and Trustee. She was a 60+ year member of Chapter GC P.E.O. and the Sunflower Chapter #214 Eastern Star of Mitchell. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #7 of Alliance. She is survived by her sons and daughters-inlaw, Bradley and Sue (Cummings) Williams of Alliance, Jeffrey and Linda (Crowe) Williams of Ft. Collins, CO, and her daughter and son-in- law Kathleen and Tim Cover of Ashby. Also surviving are grandchildren, Derek (Abbie) Williams of Hastings, Christopher (Crystal) Cover, Matthew (Sara) Cover and Jeffrey (Carolyn) Cover of Ashby, Karli (Vince) Julian of Westminster, CO, and Kirk Williams of Denver, CO, and great-grandchildren Lucy, Reece and Lane Williams and Hunter and Brecken Cover, Kirby and Claire Cover and Luca Julian. Other survivors are her sister, Loretta Surber, of Rocklin, CA, Sisters-in-law, Betty Riley and Shirley Williams of Mitchell and special friend, Bill Beebe, of Mitchell and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her brothers, James Gordon Riley, Jr., and Harold Riley, sister, Mary Wright, sister- in-law Violet Riley and brothers-in-law, Claude Wright, Gene Surber and Jerry Williams. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, private family funeral services will be held Monday, January 11, 2021 at 10 a.m., at the First Presbyterian Church. Rev. Bob Gump will officiate. The service will be livestreamed on the First Presbyterian Church of Alliance facebook page. The public is invited to the graveside at the Alliance Cemetery at approximately 11:00 a.m. Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be held on Sunday, January 10, 2021 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Bates-Gould Chapel. Use of masks at the services is at the attendees discretion. Condolences and memorials may be sent in care of Brad Williams at, P.O. Box Q, Alliance, NE 69301 and given to the First Presbyterian Church, P.A.W.S., or the donors choice. Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.