Cheryl “Cheri” R. (Simmons) Williams, 76, of Chehalis, Washington, passed away at home early Friday morning July 30, 2021, after having been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March.
Cheri attended high school (CHS class of 1963) and college in Centralia (associate’s degree in 1966) and also graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Washington State University (bachelor’s degree in sociology in 1968). She and Ed were married in June of 1968. She was an active volunteer in schools and church for many years and especially enjoyed volunteering at the Alabaster Box Christian bookstore in Ephrata, Wash., where she applied the accounting skills learned in post-graduate classes at Portland State University. Her talent at both Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit was legendary. She and Ed enjoyed cruising to many different parts of the world after his retirement from Centralia City Light in 2013. She was an excellent singer even in her younger years. She especially enjoyed singing in church choir and with a nonette group in high school and college. She will be sorely missed by her many friends and acquaintances at the Grace Foursquare Church in Centralia.
Cheri was the beloved wife of 53 years of her husband Ed and the mother of two much-loved children Katharine Maisel (husband Matt), Chantilly, Virginia, and Benjamin (wife Molly), Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Don and Dorothy Simmons of Centralia, and by her brother Robert.
She is survived by her husband, her sister Donna (husband Daniel) Treat, her sister-in-law Ronni Simmons and 12 precious grandchildren.
She loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and testified with the author of Romans: The God of hope fills us with all joy and peace in believing.
A graveside ceremony for family and intimate friends will be held on the afternoon of Aug. 13 at the Napavine cemetery. The family encourages memorial donations to the Possibilities Women’s (Pregnancy) Center in Centralia, Wash. in lieu of gifts or flowers.
