Shirley Williams

It is with deep love and gratitude that we celebrate the life of Shirley, (also known as Shirl, Mom, Grandma, Grams, and GiGi) who passed away peacefully at the age of 93.

Shirley was born on April 7, 1932, in Benton, Illinois; the daughter of Harold Harben and Marie (Carter) Harben. She married Joe Williams on October 2, 1949, and he preceded her in death on May 27, 1995.

Mrs. Williams formerly worked as a secretary/bookkeeper for Benton Consolidated High School. She formerly attended the East Benton Baptist Church (now known as Resurrection Baptist Church).

She enjoyed working in her yard, but most of all she cherished every moment spent with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Shirley lived a long, happy, and healthy life filled with love, laughter, and purpose. She was known for her sweet and gracious spirit, and for the kindness she extended to everyone she met. A devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she found her greatest joy in her family — always our biggest cheerleader, offering encouragement, wisdom, and unconditional love.

Even in her later years, Shirley continued to touch lives with her gentle words of encouragement and genuine sincerity. She had a remarkable gift for making others feel seen and valued. Her strength and positivity carried her through life’s challenges, including her final month following a hip fracture, with grace and courage.

Her legacy of love and kindness will live on in all whose lives she touched — especially her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who will forever cherish her example and her beautiful heart.

Surviving is a daughter Linda Williams Hammer of Springfield, Illinois, a son Larry Williams and wife Joann of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, a daughter-in-law Lynne Williams of Herrin, Illinois, grandchildren: Grant (Jennifer) Hammer, Jordan (Stephanie) Hammer, Jenna Lewis (Chuck) Moore, Tom (Betsy) Williams, John (Ahrum) Williams, Elizabeth Williams (Adam) Busenbark, Cole Williams (fiancée Paige Diuguid), great-grandchildren: Cam Hammer, Josie Hammer, Riley Hammer, Rory Hammer, June Hammer, Arabella Moore, Jason Williams, Jillian Busenbark, Alexandria Busenbark, Ellie Busenbark, Dante Busenbark, a brother Richard “Dick” Harben, a nephew Richard Harben, a niece Ann Marie Carr, a nephew Greg (Beth) Harben.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a daughter Patti Lewis, a son Jon Williams, a grandson Jon Michael Hammer, two sisters: Pat (Don) Champion, Doris (Bill) Rogers, and a sister-in-law Jane Harben.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Pastor Roger Teel officiating. Entombment will follow in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Memorial contributions in memory of Shirley may be made to the Benton Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry and will be accepted at the funeral home.

To give online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Shirley, go to www.lpfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shirley Williams, please visit our floral store.