Paula Williams

Paula Williams, 90, of Harrisburg, NC passed away Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at the Tucker House in Kannapolis.

Paula Hilliard Williams was born November 1,1934 in the Crabtree Township of Yancey County, NC. She grew up in the small town of Micaville where she attended Micaville High School, graduating with the Class of 1952, after which she chose to pursue a career in nursing. Beginning in 1953, she attended the North Carolina School of Nursing at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, with some classes at Duke University in Durham, NC, receiving her RN certification in 1957. In 1955 she did her internship at Grace Hospital in Morganton (Burke County), NC. It was there that she met her future husband, Richard “Dick” Norman Williams, a native of Morganton. They were married at Valdese (Burke County), NC on June 18, 1955 and enjoyed 44 years together before his passing on December 16, 1999 at age 71. They were blessed with two sons, Mark and Chip and four grandsons, Josh, Justin, Brandon and Nathan.

In 1958 the couple moved to Charlotte (Mecklenburg County), NC where they lived for 30 years. Paula was employed by the Mecklenburg County Health Department as County Nurse for 30 years, semi-retiring in 1988. Her husband also retired at that time after 31 years as Athletic Director and Head Coach for all sports at East Mecklenburg High School. Then, moving to Salisbury (Rowan County), NC where Dick became coordinator for Catawba College (his alma mater) Chiefs Club, the booster organization for the college, Paula became employed at Cone Mills as Head Nurse. After ten years of service there, she finally retired in 1998. Following the death of her husband, she remained in Salisbury, until moving back to Charlotte in 2002. She and her sister Joyce enjoyed spending time watching the grandsons play sports and were involved with church activities. The things that brought her the greatest joy was that time with family and her relationship with Jesus Christ.

Survivors include her two sons Chip and Mark. Her two daughters in law Kathie and Lorie. Her four grandsons Josh, Justin, Brandon and Nathan.

There will be a graveside service at Rowan Memorial Park at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Harrisburg is serving the Williams family.