Mary Melissa KING

Notes:

Her name is recorded on Esther Geraldine’s marriage certificate. Both of her parents were born in Illinois.

She was called Lissa King in the 1880 census when she lived in Olmsted County, Minnesota, and was still going to school.

In the ELCA birth and baptism record for her daughter Annie Belle, she is called Lizzie.

In the 1900 census, she is shown as having had 4 children, all still living.

An article in the September 14, 1932, edition of the Bellingham Herald, recalling events of 25 years earlier (i.e., the fall of 1907), mentions that Miss Esther Williams was traveling to Boulder, Colorado, “where Miss Esther will join her mother and sister, Mrs. Andrew Williams and Miss Belle Williams.”

An article in the August 4, 1908, edition of the Tacoma Daily News:

It became known today that what was alleged to have been a nervous collapse of Mrs. Andrew Williams, wife of the sheriff of Whatcom County, was in reality an attempt of the woman to commit suicide because of grief over the daughter’s death last week.

Mrs. Williams locked herself in a room Sunday morning and with a pair of scissors cut her throat and wrists. When she was missed it was some time before the door could be pried open. By that time she was extremely weak from loss of blood and all but dead. She was taken to the hospital and unless complications set in will recover. Her daughter died last week after a lingering illness of several years.

An article in the November 12, 1908, of the Olympia Daily Recorder:

Despondent over the loss of her eldest daughter, and dreading to go to the state insane asylum to which she was committed Tuesday, Mrs. Andrew Williams, wife of Sheriff Williams of Whatcom County, last evening slipped away from her home, made her way to the court house, and, entering the sheriff’s office, took a revolver from the desk and shot herself in the head. She died instantly.

For more than a year, Mrs. Williams was the constant attendant of her eldest daughter, Belle, a teacher in the Bellingham schools, who was afflicted with tuberculosis. They traveled all over the West in search of health for the daughter but she finally died in June. Since that time, the mother has been despondent and once before tried to end her own life. She was unsuccessful. Since then she has been growing worse until she became violent and was finally committed to the state asylum for the insane. Last night, she evaded the members of her family and fired the fatal shot. Her husband is distracted with grief over the affair and is nearly a wreck. He has spent hus savings of years on the family and when he leaves office in January will be practically without funds although at one time he was counted well to do. The dead woman is survived by her husband, two young sons, and a small daughter.

Birth:
location according to Esther’s birth record

Buried:
as Mary M Williams, aged 45

Mary married Andrew Ove WILLIAMS on 30 Jul 1884 in Olmsted County, Minnesota. Andrew (son of Ove Vilhjelmsson /WILLIAMS WILLIAMSON (BAGGETHUN) and Anne Andersdatter KJØS) was born on 10 Aug 1853 in Wisconsin; died on 12 Feb 1925 in Okanogan, Okanogan County, Washington; was buried in Bayview Cemetery, Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 22 Mar 1885, Scandinavia Lutheran Church, Scandinavia Twp, Waupaca County, Wisconsin

Notes:

An article in the October 14, 1930, edition of the Bellingham Herald, recalling events from 25 years earlier (i.e., October of 1905), mentions that “a number of the unmarried young ladies of the First Congregational Church met last evening with Miss Belle Williams at her apartment in the White House to discuss plans for the organization of a social club.”

Not living with her father and family in the 1910 census.

Her article on her death appeared in the July 30, 1908, edition of the Bellingham Herald:

Anna Belle Williams, the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Williams, who died early Tuesday morning, was buried this afternoon from the First Congregational church, Rev. William Orr Wark officiating and delivering the final tribute to the young woman.

Ther church was crowded with sorrowing friends of the deceased and the casket was piled high with floral tributes of every size and description. Out of respect for her father, who is a court officer, Judge Neterer of the superior court adjourned court this afternoon while the funeral is being held.

From the article on her mother’s death, we learn that Belle was a school teacher and died from tuberculosis.

Baptism:
as Annie Bell

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 25 Jul 1886, Scandinavia Lutheran Church, Scandinavia Twp, Waupaca County, Wisconsin

Notes:

In the 1910 Bellingham, Washington, city directory, he is Robert E Williams, clerk for Western Express, boarding at the home of his father at 1513 E.

Shown as Bert in the 1910 census. At that time (April), he was living with his father and brother and sister in Bellingham, WA. His occupation is shown as railroad clerk.

In the 1911 Bellingham directory, he is Robert E Williams, clerk for the Canadian Pacific Railway. He lives at home with his father and siblings at 1513 E.

He is not listed in the 1912 Bellingham directory.

In the 1914 Bellingham directory, he lives at home at 1513 E with his father and siblings. His occupation is bookkeeper.

He is not listed in the 1917 Bellingham directory nor in later Bellingham directories.

A brief article in the Seattle Daily Times, October 3, 1924:

Robert Earl Williams, 38 years old, died this morning in his home at Seattle according to his widow, Mrs. Blanche Williams. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Blanche Williams, his father, Andrew Williams, a sister, Mrs. M. H. Day, and a brother, Lynde Williams. Mr. Williams had lived in Seattle for seven years and was employed as assistant passenger agent for the Alaska Steamship Company. He was a member of the Maritime Lodge, No. 239, Free and Accepted Masons. The body is in the Butterworth mortuary pending funeral arrangements.

An article in the July 27, 1935, edition of the Bellingham Herald referred to an event of 25 years earlier (i. e., 1910):

After being separated for three years, the members of the ’07 high school team that won the championship of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho by defeating the Broadway High School of Seattle will get together Sunday for what may be their final game. For months the members of the old Bellingham high school team have been trying to assemble again but have been unable to do so until Bert Williams began to devote his time to the organization. Manager Williams says that the men that will probably be seen in the lineup are: Ernest Goddard, Frank Holbrook, Lynde Williams, Oscar Blockburger, Frank Keene, Charles Follman, Bennet. C. J. McCullough, Bert Williams, Paul Tatman, and Wright.

Baptism:
as Robert Earl

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Cannery Worker
• Baptism: 1889, Scandinavia Lutheran Church, Scandinavia Twp, Waupaca County, Wisconsin

Notes:

The Wisconsin Births Index shows his birth year as 1889.

In the 1908 Bellingham, Washington, city directory, he is Lynde Williams, student, boarding with his father at the Whatcom County Court House.

In the 1910 Bellingham directory, he is Lynde A Williams, student, boarding with his father at 1513 E.

Single, unemployed with no occupation, and living with his father and brother and sister in Bellingham, WA, at the time of the 1910 census.

In the 1911 Bellingham directory, he is still at home with his father and siblings. His occupation is hoseman for the Bellingham Fire Dept.

In the 1912 Bellingham directory, he is still a hoseman for the fire department but has no address.

In the 1914 Bellingham directory, he is a machinist living at home with his father and siblings at 1513 E.

In the 1917 Bellingham directory, he lives at 1513 E, no occupation.

Registered for the draft as Andrew Lynde Williams in Bellingham, Washington, on June 5, 1917. At that time, he was living at “1513 E.” in Bellingham. He worked as a fish cannery employee at the Lummi Bay Packaging Co. He was single. He was described as tall and of medium build with blue eyes and brown hair.

In the 1918 Bellingham directory, he is listed as “U S Army” but residing at 1513 E.

In the 1920 Bellingham directory, he resides at 1408 Humboldt, the home of his sister’s family. No occupation.

In the 1920 census, Lynde is living with his sister and her family in Bellingham, Washington. He is a cannery mechanic at a fish cannery.

In the 1921 Bellingham directory, he lives at 1408 Humboldt. He is a machinist.

In the 1923 Bellingham directory, which includes Whatcom County, there is an A L Williams living in Lynden.

An article in the Bellingham Herald, May 1, 1925:

Andrew Lynde Williams Jr., son of the late “Andy” Williams, veteran police chief of Bellingham, and Whatcom County Sheriff, who died at Okanogan recently, was committed to the Northern State hospital at Sedro-Woolley, at conclusion of a sanity hearing in the superior court Thursday afternoon. The younger Williams’ condition, it was said, followed as a result of a series of accidents and severe disappointments. Early this year he went to Alaska to work at one of the fish canneries but was brought back last week when his condition became worse.

Treatment at the Northern State Hospital is expected to result in improvement. As a youth, he is recalled as a star player in the backfield of Whatcom high school’s football team. He foremerly served on the Bellingham police department, in which latter service deafness developed. The young man gained recognition for his services in the aviation at Kelly field during the world war. The story is told that he faked his way into the army air service by reading the physical examiner’s lips, having acquired that ability after becoming partially deaf.

In the 1930 census, he is living with his sister and family in Bellingham. He was a steamship mechanic. That census shows that Andrew was a veteran of the World War.

An obit in the Bellingham Herald, headlined Lynde Williams Dies, in the September 13, 1930 edition:

Lynde (Windy) Williams, son of the late Andy Williams, veteran police officer and one time sheriff and acting chief of police, died after a brief illness today on a ranch in Okanogan county where he had spent the greater part of the last ten years.

Williams was a former member of the local fire and police departments and also served for some time as night merchant patrolman. He also made several trips to Alaska with P.A.F. crews and, since leaving Bellingham, made a few trips as assistant engineer on ocean steamers.

During his high school days at Whatcom, Williams was a football star, playing on the same team with Fred Spenger, Ben Tidball, Tom Gaffney, Starr Sutherland and other well remembered players.

So far as could be learned here, the only close relative surviving is a sister, Mrs. Layman (Esther) Day, who resides on the Okanogan farm. Williams was about 38 years of age.

An article in the September 16, 1930, edition of the Bellingham Herald notes that Lynde Williams was given a military funeral, officiated by the local Albert J. Hamilton post of the American Legion. Williams had been a charter member of the post. During the World War, he was a sergeant first class in the air service.

Birth:
His draft registration shows 18 August 1890, which may be correct if he was 40 when he died.

Buried:
as A L Williams, aged 40

Notes:

Her signature on her marriage certificate shows a definite backward tilt so she may have been left-handed.

Her birth is probably the one recorded for Andrew F Williams in Waupaca County on 2 April 1893.

In the 1910 Bellingham, Washington, city directory, she is Esther G Williams, student, boarding at her father’s house at 1513 E.

She is still at home in the 1911 city directory but with no occupation.

She is not listed in the 1912 Bellingham directory.

In the 1914 Bellingham directory, she lives at home with her father and brothers at 1513 E but has no occupation.

A brief article in the Bellingham Herald, in its March 9, 1925, issue: Esther Williams Day, married daughter of Andrew Lynde Williams, veteran police officer of Bellingham and former Whatcom County Sheriff, who died at Okanogan February 12, was appointed administratrix of the estate, comprising local real estate of a moderate value today on petition of Andrew Lynde Williams Jr., son of the deceased.

Esther married Lyman Henry DAY on 4 Apr 1915 in Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington. Lyman was born on 13 Oct 1891 in Massena, St. Lawrence County, New York; died on 24 Sep 1981 in Seattle, King County, Washington; was buried in Omak Memorial Cemetery, Okanogan County, Washington. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

In the 1940 census, she was Joy Geraldine, age 21. She was a stenographer for the U.S. Forest Service and had made $553 in 1939. She had one year of college. She had lived in Pullman in Whitman County in 1935 although her parents and sister had lived in Okanogan.

She was Joy Day in the State College of Washington-Pullman yearbook of 1936.

Her obit:

Joy Sullivan’s life spanned nearly a century. Her mother Esther Williams (later known as Gah) was the Whatcom County Sheriff’s daughter who learned to drive on a fire truck and was the first woman to strip off her long stockings to swim in Bellingham Bay. Her father Lyman (Gus) Day was a seaman on the first ship to travel through the Panama Canal en route to the West Coast. When ashore, he fell in love with Esther. Esther and Lyman married and settled in Bellingham where Joy was born.

Joy was a child of the depression. Esther and Lyman purchased an apple orchard and moved with Joy and her sister Bill to the hills of Okanogan. It was a hard life – an outdoor privy and bathwater heated on the stove. Hers was a happy childhood. She was a pianist, violinist, and a voracious reader. Their home was a magnet for friends, welcomed day and night with food, music, and joy. After many years, the orchard became a victim of the depression and was repossessed by the bank. The family moved permanently to Seattle.

From an early age, Joy had a delightful sense of humor. She regaled in stories of her embarrassment.  The home brew exploded in the bathtub when the temperance-preaching school board president was present. She drove her father’s car into a ditch, after which he unfairly promptly removed the motor and transferred it to a tractor. The family horse Barney would immediately sit whenever she mounted him. Her much-adored “bratty little sister” hid in the apple tree witnessing her kissing a boyfriend and telling all in a message Joy discovered opening her suitcase on her first day at college.

Bill often described Joy as ‘the smartest student in their school.’As valedictorian, Joy was awarded a full scholarship to Pullman where she became a Chi Omega. She was self-depreciating. She often recalled that “she entered to study music and languages, only to discover she was good at neither.” She dropped out two years later, obtaining a position in the Bremerton Naval Yard. She was among the throngs of the heartbroken who witnessed hundreds of sailors, many who were counted as friends, return from Pearl Harbor in body bags.

Joy met her husband Ed (who grew up in Freeport, Long Island) on a train en route to Florida to see her sister. He was a handsome army lieutenant on leave to enjoy some sunshine before being deployed to the Pacific. He insists he hooked up with her because she was the only one on the train with beer. She emphatically denied this, but admittedly fell in love at first sight. They were married in New York City after knowing each other only a few weeks. They had three children – Candace (Candy), Michael (Mike) and Terrence (Terry). The marriage lasted until his death, just short of 50 years.

After Ed returned from the Army (and recovered from serious first-degree burns that occurred when repairing their car), Ed and Joy briefly lived in Liberty Lake, Washington. They later settled in Seattle where Ed was employed as a Boeing technician. Joy was active politically and served multiple times as a local precinct committeeman. She recalled family stress when she campaigned for Eisenhower and Ed for Stevenson. She was an avid supporter of Nelson Rockefeller for President (and wrote him in for many years when she disapproved of both party candidates). 

In recent years, she was a confirmed Democrat, finding that the Republican Party no longer represented her values. She proudly cast her final vote for Hillary, and fortunately did not live to see election results.

Joy was a stay-at-home mom for some 14 years. Her and Ed’s home was a hot-bed of activity. It was the gathering place for neighborhood children. There was a steady stream of friends for dinner, conversation, mushroom gathering, music, origami, and parties. She was renown for casual entertaining and outstanding cooking. She was especially recognized for her braided, home-made bread (though her children wanted Wonder Bread like all the other kids), sponge cakes, and cream puffs.

Tired of exclusively volunteering and concerned with paying upcoming college tuitions, she went to work at the University of Washington as a secretary. Her final position was in the Department of Psychiatry where she played multiple roles – researcher, editor, and office manager, as well as secretary. Her skills were recognized when a well-reviewed book “The Politics of Prostitution” was dedicated to her.

Work did not stop her volunteering. At one time she was active in three PTAs, the University Unitarian Church as a Sunday school teacher, and the Seattle Youth Symphony. Her happiest volunteer experience was serving as Secretary for the Japanese American Citizen’s League.

Upon retiring, Joy and Ed went to live on Angle Lake in her parents’ former home, a short walk from her much-loved sister Bill and brother-in-law Bud Jones. She prided herself on being a fine swimmer. She was a voracious reader. Her home was filled with books and magazines (her favorites being the New Yorker, New York Review of Books, Atlantic, and Discover). It broke her heart when her eyes began to fail and she could only read for short periods of time.
 
Ed died in 1992. She lived independently until double knee surgery in 2005 when she could no longer drive and Candy arranged for periodic home care. Terry moved in with her a few years later. Joy loved company and was known for her warm hospitality. She enthusiastically applauded performances by the Day cousin violin trio (Candy, Nancy, and Kacey), no matter how atonal.

Joy spent her final 15 months in home hospice care. Until the end, she insisted that visitors “have something to eat and come by for a swim.” She died as she wished in view of her beloved Angle Lake.

Joy mourned the recent deaths of her sister and brother-in-law, son-in-law, and close friends of her generation. She is survived by her three children and her son Mike’s wife Linda. 

The family deeply appreciates those who provided Joy with loving care in her final months. These include Robbi Badure, Saida Mukhtar, Lisa Berlin, Cynthia Finney, Chaz Lindsey, Vivian Karanja, Hannah Gikonyo, and Sarah Schott. We are also grateful to her long-standing friend Cathy Gosho whose visits and brownies cheered her days, Susan Randlett whose flowers and visits always lifted her spirits, Sun Dat who made sure she always had food and drink, Erna Brodber who shared her writings and always remembered her birthday, Niece Nancy Erickson an adored regular visitor who also took over caregiving oversight when Candy was travelling, and Nephew Andy Jones and Niece Kacey Jones Miller whose periodic visits and support brought her great joy.

A memorial celebration will be held on April 21 at 12:30 pm at Tahoma National Cemetery. It marks the occasion of what would have been her 99th birthday. The cemetery is located at 18600 SW 240th Street, Kent, WA 98042. Her husband, sister and brother-in-law, and son-in-law are buried there as well. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Seattle Opera or Audubon.

Birth:
Her birthdate is 21 Apr 1914 in Washington Births on Ancestry. However, she was 20 months old at the time of the 1920 census.

Family/Spouse: Edward Daniel SULLIVAN. Edward was born on 28 Sep 1909 in New York; died on 29 Nov 1992 in Seattle, King County, Washington; was buried in Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, Washington. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Articles in the Bellingham Herald in the 1930s referred to her has Belle, Bill, Billie, and Wilma.

In the 1940 census, she was Billy, a 16 year-old high school student living with her parents.

It is with heavy heart that we report to the community one of our pioneering Shore Club members and beloved neighbor, Wilma Mary Kathleen Day Jones, known to many around the lake simply as Billie, died Saturday, January 16 after a sudden illness. She was in the loving presence of family at the time of her passing. 

Born in Okanogan, Washington, Billie was the second of two daughters born to Lyman and Esther Day. She spent her girlhood on her parents' apple orchard ranch in the Boston Heights area 'chasing jackrabbits and swimming in the Okanogan River' as she would fondly remember. 

Billie briefly attended college at Washington State University, until she heeded the call of duty to her country as WWII began. She was among the first young women to venture to the other Washington and later Miami, FL, working for the government and Red Cross to help the war effort. She was thrilled with her independent life and made many friends, with whom she remained in contact for years to come.

On April 13, 1947 she married Charles Arthur Jones, a handsome U.S. Marine, whom she met on a blind date orchestrated by her mother. Bud and Billie settled in a cottage on Angle Lake, where they continued making and nurturing lifelong friendships. In their 66 years together, they lived life to the fullest; raising children, swimming and sailing, skiing, partying, traveling, and relishing the company of family and friends. Their July 4 celebrations will forever remain a staunch family tradition. In her later years, despite the weather or the month, Billie was famous for inviting anyone she met to 'come on out for a swim at Angle Lake!' 

Billie loved music, singing, dancing, and being a center of festivities. She instilled a love of music in her three children and was insistent they all learn to play an instrument. She treasured her beautiful home on Angle Lake and would express her gratitude every day for all her blessings. She is survived by her children Nancy Erickson (Glenn), Andrew Jones (Lois), and Kacey Jones Miller (Bruce) and her sister Joy Sullivan. Billie was preceded in death by her husband, her beloved 'Bud'. She cherished her eleven grandchildren. She lived to see eight of her nine great grandchildren, missing by only four days the arrival of her ninth.

Wilma married Charles Arthur (Bud) JONES on 13 Apr 1947. Charles was born on 22 Dec 1922; died on 7 Mar 2013 in Washington; was buried in Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, Washington. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]