Ruth Louise Williams, 89 of Burns, was born Oct. 26, 1936. She passed away peacefully on Oct. 27, 2025 at her home in Burns, surrounded by loving family. She was born to William E. Hale and Lois White Hale in Boise, Idaho.

She was the oldest of 15 children, a loving wife, mother of five, grandmother to 17, with 19 great-grandchildren, and thre great-great-grandchildren. Even as her children grew up, she stayed close and was deeply involved in their lives. She loved her grandkids and great grandkids with all her heart and lit up whenever they were around!

Ruth was always there for anyone that needed her. She cared for her many family members, loved helping to care for her grandchildren, as well as other people’s children, and had many friends over the years. Her home and heart were always open! In addition to being a homemaker, she helped run the Trailways Bus depot for many years. She was in a woman’s quilting group for years making quilts for missions and for others. She was very active in serving at her church. She was a woman of faith and leaves an amazing legacy. She always supported her children and grandchildren’s sporting events, music, 4-H and other events they were involved with. She readily shared her wisdom and had such a sweet spirit. She was the ultimate peacekeeper, bringing calm to any storm. She helped us learn to love and forgive those that hurt us.

Ruth is survived by her five children: Deborah (Mike) Hurd, Rhonda Gunderson, James (Cindy) Williams, Charlene (Ray) Cate, Ralph (Sandi) Williams. Seventeen Grandchildren: Julia (Cherenet) Paz-Demme, Crystal (Carlos) Crockett-Greenfield, Jennifer Davis, Matthew (Cassandra Weiss) Hurd, Natasha (Steven) Montague, PJ Hurd, Aaron Williams, Benjamin (Savanna) Cate, Jacob Williams, Joshua (Erin) Cate, Ryan Williams, Jocelena Cate, Isaac (Katie) Williams, Jaycob Cate, Haley (Josh Styles) Willams. Korina Cate, and Gabriel Cate; 19 great-grandchildren: Chance Crockett, Dakota (Mary) Randall, Ryan (Kaila) Montague, Beau Randall, Sierra (Cameron) Wolfe, Kyler Davis, Nathan Paz, Kiera Davis, Brooklynn Montague, Jayden Montague, Celena VanHook, Liam Weiss-Hurd, Hayden Cate, William Paz, Lukas Cate, Noah Cate, Brinley Heinz, Emilia and Nina Cate; and three great-great-grandchildren: Indy, Jax and Brady Montague. Siblings: Betty Schreck, David Hale, Linda Pifer, Steve Hale, Bob Hale, Joe Hale; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is proceeded in death by her husband, Charles B Williams; grandmother, Floy Eldora Hale; father, William Hale; mother, Lois White; siblings: Earlene Durant, Grace Ness, Eldora Hale, Fred Hale, John Hale, Jerilyn Sasse, Susan Sasse, Janelle Sasse Stark and son-in-law, Don Gunderson.

2 Timothy 1:12

For this reason, even though I suffer, as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.

We will have a Celebration Of Life Service on Nov. 29, 2025 at 2 p.m., at Faith Baptist Church, 777 Saginaw Hines, OR. 97738