Eleanor "Pat" Williams

Eleanor “Pat” Williams, at the age of 97, went to her heavenly home on August 29, 2021 in Mesquite.

The Rosary will be prayed at 6:00 PM, Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at the Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel in Pampa and the family will receive friends after the Rosary starting at 6:30 and until 8:00 PM.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM on Thursday, September 2, 2021, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in White Deer, TX with Rev. Hrudaya Raju Kondamudi, pastor, officiating.  The burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.

Eleanor “Pat” Paetzold was born February 2, 1924, in Groom, TX. She was the fourth of nine children, seven brothers and one sister.  She grew up helping on her father’s farm, and all siblings attended a one-room schoolhouse until high school. Pat, as she was often called, (because people couldn’t remember “Paetzold”), graduated from Hereford High School. Pat attended Draughn Business School in Amarillo, TX and studied accounting. She worked at the Army Air Force Base in the drafting department as well as the Santa Fe Railroad, in the accounting department.

Pat married the love of her life, Clifton “Dutch” Williams on August 26, 1952, in Hereford, TX. They were married 56 years and raised their family of seven children in White Deer, TX.  They were both active members of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.  Dutch and his brothers farmed, owned two service stations (Williams Brothers Supply Company and Texaco) and an auto parts supply house in White Deer, TX.  Pat enjoyed keeping the books for all the family businesses. Dutch’s health deteriorated after several strokes, and Pat looked after him at home for as long as she could. He passed away on April 6, 2008.

Once Pat became a grandmother, she affectionally picked up the name “MeMe.”  She later moved to Mesquite, TX, where she lived for nine years at the Waterford Retirement Center.  MeMe loved being close to family and helping other residents feel at home.  In December 2016, MeMe moved to St. Joseph’s Residence in Dallas, TX.  At St. Joseph’s, she loved being able to attend Mass and Rosary daily.  In late July 2018, MeMe required more help, due to the first signs of Alzheimer’s and she moved to the Willow Bend Nursing and Rehab Center in Mesquite. Some of her favorite things were God, church activities, family, bowling & square dancing.  Her love for dancing came from the Army Base dances with soldiers. MeMe was the proud grandmother of 20 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren, and her family meant everything to her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Helen Korstjens Paetzold; 5 brothers, George, Bud, Raymond, Bill, Walter Paetzold, and her granddaughter, Britney Johnson. 

Survivors include, two brothers Jim Paetzold,  and Bob Paetzold and wife Nancy, all of Hereford, TX; a sister Alice Koenig of Hereford, TX; three sons, Mike Williams and wife, Sharon, of Weatherford, TX; Ronnie Williams and wife, Rebecca, of Edmond, OK, and Steve Williams and wife, Sandra, of Mansfield, TX; four daughters, Gail Barnes and husband, Kenny of Crandall, TX, Mary Lick and husband, Eddie of Athens, TX, Rose Burks and husband, Randy, of Hamlin, TX, and Cathy Johnson and husband Ian, of Kennedale, TX; grandchildren, Michael Williams and wife Chrissy; Jennifer Jordan and husband, Ryan; Kena Robertson and husband Travis; Brett Barnes and wife Natalie; Cale Barnes and wife Kelsey; Justin Young and wife Melissa; Scott Carpenter; Craig Carpenter-Palmer and partner Tim; Shelby Cocke and husband Mike; Shay Williams; Skyler Williams; Brady Lick and wife Claire; Evan Lick; Randi Guerrero and husband Ruben; Regan Clement and husband Roan; Rayce Burks and wife Beth; Ryan Johnson and wife Janell; Mark Johnson and wife Laura; Will Johnson; and 21 great grandchildren and many other close family members.

Pallbearers are MeMe’s grandsons:  Michael Williams of New York, NY; Brett Barnes of Forney, TX; Cale Barnes of Rockwall, TX; Skyler Williams of Mansfield, TX; Brady Lick of Dallas, TX; Evan Lick of Athens, TX; Rayce Burks of Lubbock, TX; Ryan Johnson of Fort Worth, TX; Mark Johnson of Fort Worth; Will Johnson of Kennedale, TX; Justin Young of Mustang, OK; Scotty Carpenter of Oklahoma City, OK; and Craig Carpenter-Palmer of Long Beach, CA.

The family requests memorials be sent to: St. Joseph’s Residence, 330 W. Pembroke Ave., Dallas, TX 75208.