Patricia Rae “Pat” Williams passed away at her home in Gunnison on Oct. 4, 2025.
She was preceded in death by her husband Robert R. “Bob” Williams in 1977, her parents J. Ray and Doris Miller, her brothers Lynvale and Roger Miller and sister Janet McDonald.
She is survived by her children Steve (Debbie) Williams, Robin Williams, John Williams, Bill Williams and Holly (Bret) Shaw.
Pat is also survived by nine grandchildren: Bo Pharis, Macy (Tom) Beuoy, Bob (Allison) Williams, Steve (Heidi) Williams, Josh Shaw, Madie (Newt) Klusmire, Jennifer (Brad) Foster, Jhelene and Connor Shaw; and six great grandchildren: Michael and Clara Beuoy, Ben and Alex Williams and Sidney and Millie Klusmire. And, as the family grew, she became known as GMA.
She is also survived by her youngest siblings Loren (Veronica) Miller and Diana (Bill) Thurmond and many nieces and nephews.
Pat was born March 17, 1929 on St. Patrick’s Day in Benkelman, Nebraska. The family moved to Gunnison in 1938 and first resided in the Grand Apartments, which were being managed by her Aunt and Uncle Helen and Kenneth Bratt. The family settled into the West Side neighborhood and Pat graduated from Gunnison County High School in 1946 and attended Western State College the following year.
After one year of college, Pat chose to go to work for the law firm of Porter and Carroll as a secretary. The walk from her parents house to work and back took her by the First National Bank where a young man she had met in high school and got to know in college worked.
A mutual love of music and dancing brought the two together and they were married on Valentines Day, 1949. The family started their life together back at the Grand Apartments where Pat’s life in Gunnison began in 1938.
With each addition the family moved again — twice in the Grand Apartments then across the alley to North 14th Street and finally to North Main Street where Bob had grown up. Pat continued as a dedicated homemaker until the older children moved on and she decided to work outside the home, this time as a clerk in the County Court.
Bob became ill in early 1976 and passed in 1977. After caring for Bob at home with help from the family, Pat transitioned, including moving to Delta County for a short period before returning to Gunnison and buying a home on S. Main Street where she would spend the second half of her life often sharing the home with family members.
Pat returned to work this time as a clerk for the combined County and District Court until she reached retirement age. In retirement Pat provided a home base for family gatherings just as she had continued to provide a home for family.
Pat loved catching up with old friends as well as family. She learned to play the piano as a young girl and continued playing into her nineties and loved listening to Big Band music.
She was an accomplished baker and everyone loved her cookies. She loved spending time in her garden and it showed. She loved embroidery and reading mysteries. She also liked a good crossword puzzle.
Pat’s celebration of life service will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan, 307 West Virginia Ave., Gunnison on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan, P.O Box 701 Gunnison, CO,81230 of which Pat was a member for 87 years.
