Obituary of Rachel Rae Williams

Rachel Rae Williams, the daughter of John and Anna (Mulder) Van Loon, was born September 24, 1926, in La Crosse, Wisconsin. At the age of 10, Rachel received Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and served Him with her life. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, and after graduation taught elementary education. On June 20, 1953, Rachel was united in marriage with Forrest Edward Williams in New Amsterdam, Wisconsin. As a pastor's wife, Rachel enjoyed her time as a Bible teacher, mother of Camp Life and women's speaker. She also traveled with her husband to encourage missionaries in a number of different countries in South America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Rachel was a longtime member of the Calvary Memorial Church in Racine, Wisconsin and the Bethel Baptist Church in Janesville, Wisconsin. She was an accomplished seamstress. She enjoyed music through singing and playing the piano, the violin and the clarinet. She deeply loved her children, her grandchildren and caring for others. Rachel died on Tuesday, January 27, 2015, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. She was 88 years old. Rachel was preceded in death by her parents; her sister and brother-in-law, Doris (Carl) Engel; her brother, Russell Van Loon and a sister-in-law, Donna Van Loon. Those left to honor Rachel's memory include her husband, Rev. Dr. Forrest Williams of Janesville, WI; her daughters, Rebecca (Jim) Servi of Neenah, WI, Mary (Rev. John) Patterson of Newton, IA; Elizabeth (Steven) Winey of Cedarville, OH; her son, Dr. Joel (Rebecca) Williams of Xenia, OH; her ten grandchildren, Daniel (Emilie) Servi, Bethany Servi, Anna Williams, Matthew Williams, Luke Williams, David Patterson, Hannah Patterson, Sarah Winey, Leah Winey, Josiah Winey; her great grandson, Micah Servi; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Rev. Paul (Mary Jane) Van Loon and Donald (Becky) Van Loon and a sister-in-law, Evelyn Van Loon and her many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, January 31, 2015 at Bethel Baptist Church in Janesville, WI. The family will greet friends on Friday, January 30th from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at the church and again from 10:00 am until 11:00 am Saturday at the church. Memorials may be designated in Rachel's name and may be left at the church.