Trudy Williams

With her positive and uplifting spirit, Trudy Williams was a welcome addition to the lives of everyone who came to know and love her. An outgoing and fun-loving woman, it was a joy to be in Trudy’s company. Just as loving as she was kind, Trudy was a friend of many. Trudy’s kindred spirit found her enjoying the things she loved most in life. She never took things too seriously, and always remembered that laughter was good for the soul. Although Trudy will be deeply missed, loving thoughts of her will remain in the hearts of all.

Trudy’s story began in a year that played a significant role in American history. As World War II raged overseas, rationing took place on the home front. Women entered the workforce in droves, replacing men who were off to war. While the Battle of the Bulge and the D-Day invasion made headlines, it made for worrisome hearts back home, yet the world of entertainment world brought welcome relief with the likes of Bing Crosby, the Andrews Sisters, and America’s love for baseball. In the lives of George and Ruth (Coleman) Hubbard, the birth of their little girl, Trudy Lynn on December 1, 1944, was a most welcome deviation from everyday worries.

Joining her older sister, Sandy, Trudy later welcomed her younger brother, Rick. With four years each spanning their ages between them, it made for a bustling household of activity. Trudy grew up in Oshtemo, Michigan on 20 acres that were once part of the Coleman family farm. Other relatives lived nearby on other areas of the farm that offered Trudy the opportunity to know and pal around with extended family. A big tomboy, Trudy loved nothing more as a youngster than running in the fields, playing ball, and helping her father feed the chickens. She learned the value of hard work early on, and was never afraid of getting her hands dirty.

Trudy attended Oshtemo schools before moving on to Portage High School. It was in high school, during her tenth-grade year when she met her one true love, Doug Williams. They became acquainted at one of the school drinking fountains, and from that moment on they were deemed quite an item in school. After their high school graduation in 1963, Trudy bid a sad farewell to her beloved Doug when he immediately went on to serve with the U.S. Air Force.

On July 11, 1964, Trudy married her high school sweetheart at Oshtemo Methodist Church. As an Air Force wife, Trudy followed wherever Doug was stationed at the time. Following his honorable discharge from the service, the couple returned to the Kalamazoo area before moving to Oklahoma while Doug attended aircraft mechanic school. During this time in the early years of their marriage, Trudy landed a few secretarial jobs before making the Kalamazoo area their permanent home.

With the desire for a home of their own, in 1972 Trudy and Doug spent endless hour’s side-by-side, building their forever home on L Avenue together. They lived in the basement all while building the upstairs, little-by-little over a four-year span. Once it was finished in 1976, it went on to become the home where Trudy and Doug enjoyed the rest of their days together.

Trudy and Doug were overjoyed to have adopted their precious daughter, Tanya in 1980 at merely eight weeks old. Trudy remained at home to raise their little girl, and as a mother, she was on the over-protective side. She taught her right from wrong, and everything in-between. Trudy was always very supportive of her daughter in each of her endeavors throughout life and encouraged her every step of the way.

Through the years, fun family times were enjoyed at the beach. Trudy loved the beach, especially the feel of the sand between her toes. She favored many beaches in both Michigan and Florida, particularly Siesta Key, Florida which she considered her favorite. In fact, Trudy and Doug recently purchased a winter home there this year. She loved combing the beach for seashells and sand dollars, and came to have quite a collection. They also enjoyed traveling and RV camping throughout Michigan just as long as their destinations included beaches and casinos. Casinos were like a playground for Trudy! She loved playing the penny slots and one time she even won a pontoon boat at the Little River Casino!

For many years, Trudy was a longtime, avid bowler. She played on many leagues, mainly at Airway Lanes. When it came to TV, she liked watching home improvement shows, Unsolved Mysteries, and Cops. At one point, she and Doug took up square dancing and line dancing. She preferred country music and the music of her youth from the 1950s. Never one to spend too much time in the kitchen, she liked eating out rather than cooking.

Trudy considered the greatest days of her life being the day she married her sweetheart, Doug and the adoption of their daughter. She possessed a wonderful sense of humor, and laughter filled the air whenever Trudy was around. She loved to laugh, and she encouraged everyone to always keep smiling. Trudy led by way of example, and she did so exceedingly well. Family was Trudy's greatest joy, and she taught them to always be there for one another. She also realized that although life is short, it was important not to take it too seriously. Indeed, Trudy lived life to the fullest, and it is her lasting legacy that others would be inspired to do the same. For these things and so much more, Trudy will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.

Trudy Lynn Williams, age 71, of Kalamazoo, passed away unexpectedly due to heart complications on Thursday, August 18, 2016. Members of her family include her husband of 52 years, Doug; her daughter, Tanya (Mike) Schuring; sister: Sandy (Jack) Simonds; a brother, Rick (Karen) Hubbard; and step-grandson: Garrett Schuring. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Trudy will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, August 22nd at the Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Drive; Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900, with a lunch to immediately follow in the Life Story Center. Burial of Trudy’s cremated remains will be at Ft. Custer National Cemetery.

Please visit Trudy’s personal memory page at www.Betzlerfuneralhome.com where you can share a favorite memory or photo and sign her guest book online before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.