Robert and Zella Williams Obituary (2011)

Robert "Tash" Williams, 85, Sanford passed away peacefully, with his family at his side, on Wednesday, September 14th. Born in Sanford, Maine, he was the third child to James and Eva (Fox) Williams. After attending Sanford High School, Tash worked many different positions until he found the things that he enjoyed most: traveling about, cooking, gardening, yard sales and his beloved wife, Zella who he was married to for 58 years until her death in 2005.Tash worked for the US Coastal Geographic Survey for three years surveying for the construction of Interstate 95 along the East coast. Tash eventually became a self-employed painter and continued this work until 1986. His self-employment work gave him the great joy of independence and his family many great stories!Tash is a veteran of the U.S. Navy where he served from 1944 to 1946 in San Diego, California as a munitions specialist.Tash is a beloved father and grandfather and will be missed terribly by those who loved him and those who knew him. His loss is only lightened by the love, the stories and the joy that he gave and left behind.Awaiting Tash are his wife Zella (Jacobs) Williams, parents James and Eva, sisters Beatrice Ackroyd and Mildred Grant. Surviving Tash are his children, son, James Williams and his wife Joy of Kokomo, Indiana, daughters, Janice Williams and Dorrie (Williams) Whittier and her husband Matthew, of Sanford. Tash was very proud of his surviving grandchildren Joy, Lea, Kelly, Dawn, and Robbie, Nathan and Zachary as well as many great-grandchildren. Very close family members William Hayes, a nephew and his wife Sheila, and niece Janet Smith, and her husband David, had unique relationships with Tash that made him smile.A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, September 19, 2011 at the Southern Maine Veteran's Cemetery, 83 Stanley Road in Springvale, Maine. Those who wish to celebrate Robert's life are welcome.Those planning an expression of sympathy, the family ask that you honor Tash with a donation to the Animal Welfare Society, PO Box 43 in West Kennebunk, Maine 04094-0043.Arrangements are under the direction of the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale.Condolences may be expressed at www.blackfuneralhomes.comIn loving memory of Zella Louise Jacobs Williams, 82, Sanford.Zella Louise Jacobs Williams passed away on December 28, 2005 with her family by her side.Zella was born the fifth of six children to Alfred C. and Sarah L. Lessard Jacobs. Born and raised in Sanford, Maine, Zella was an absolute beauty who enjoyed life. She especially enjoyed dancing, music, knitting and crocheting wonderful things for her children and grandchildren.After leaving high school, Zella worked for the Sanford Textile mills. In 1953, she took a position with General Electric. When Zella, took the job at General Electric (GE) she was making $.80 an hour double the salary in the mill. Her mother was so proud she showed all of her friends Zella's first paycheck. Zella retired from GE after 32 years of service and hard work.Zella was affectionately called "Mom" by many people but no one more than her nephew William Hayes of Shapleigh, Maine. She always had time for others and forged strong relationships with those she touched. Zella's children would like to honor her memory after the passing of her dear husband Robert Williams on September 14, 2011. Her strength, spark and fire are missed by those who knew and loved her.Awaiting Zella are husband Robert O. Williams, parents Sarah and Alfred, a brother Alfred "Jake" Jacobs, sisters Rosie Jacobs Caron, Valerie Jacobs St. Pierre and Kathleen Jacobs Kreinest and nephew William "Billy" Reynolds. Surviving Zella is a sister, Elizabeth "Libby" Reynolds; her children, son, James Williams and his wife Joy of Kokomo, Indiana, daughters, Janice Williams and Dorrie (Williams) Whittier and her husband Matthew, of Sanford. Important to her were nieces Valerie (St. Pierre) Hodgdon, Rebecca Reynolds, Julia and Nancy Kreinest and nephews William Hayes, Edward Austin, Michael Jacobs, Stephen St. Pierre and John Kreinest. Zella was very proud and so enjoyed her surviving grandchildren Joy, Lea, Kelly, Dawn, and Robbie, Nathan and Zachary as well as many great-grandchildren.A graveside service will be held on Monday, September 19th at 11AM at the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Springvale.Arrangements are under the direction of the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale, MaineTo leave a note of condolence for the family please visit www.blackfuneralhomes.com.