BERLIN — Irene H. Williams of Berlin, died July 29, 2011 at the Berlin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center after a long illness at the age of 82.
She was the daughter of the late Charles H. Hickman and Eva Floyd Hickman of Whaleyville. Her husband, W. G. (Billy) Williams, Jr., preceded her in death in 1987.
She is survived by two sons, William (Gee) Williams III and his wife Betsy of Berlin, and David C. Williams of Whaleyville; one granddaughter, Dawn W. Barrett and her husband Stephen G. Barrett; and two great-grandchildren, Lauren and Wil Barrett, all of Berlin; a sister-in-law, Marie W. Hanson of Falston, Md.; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by six siblings, Russell O. Hickman, Helen H. Hearne, Charlotte Hickman, Mildred H. Givans, Virgil W. Hickman and Hilda H. Torbert.
She graduated from Buckingham High School in 1945 and was employed as a bookkeeper for Berlin Motors (now Barrett Chevy-Chrysler) until 1948. She and her husband, Billy, owned and operated Williams Tavern in Berlin from 1959 to 1986. The tavern, established in 1934 by W.G. Williams, Sr., was the first business after prohibition to be issued an alcoholic beverage license in Worcester County and was operated by the Williams family for 52 years.
She was a member of the Berlin Junior Board in the 1950s and 60s. During this time, she also served as an election judge for the Worcester County Board of Elections. In 1978, she was the first woman elected to the Democratic Central Committee in Worcester County, serving from 1978 to 1986 and was a charter member of the Worcester County Democratic Club. She was a much loved den mother to Berlin Cub Scout pack 161 in the 1960’s, and was a long time member and past president of the Berlin-Ocean City Soroptimist Club. She was an avid bridge player and enjoyed gardening.
A funeral service was held at Stevenson United Methodist Church in Berlin on Tuesday, Aug. 2. Friends could call Monday, Aug. 1 at the Burbage Funeral Home and also one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. Interment followed in Evergreen Cemetery in Berlin.
Donations may be made in her memory to the Atlantic General Hospital Foundation, 9733 Healthway Drive, Berlin, Md. 21811, or the Berlin Ambulance Fund 214 N. Main St. Berlin, Md. 21811.
Patricia Bette Leiner
DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — Patricia Bette Leiner, 76, “Patti” passed away on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Delray Beach, Fla. after a brief illness.
Patti was born in Chicago, Ill. on Jan. 9, 1935 and was raised in New York City by her parents, Marcus and Sallie Link.
She is survived by her loving husband, Richard Leiner of 58 years; two sons, Bruce and his wife, Cynthia, and Mark and his wife, Donna; seven grandchildren, Joshua and Jesse Leiner, Whitney Buckwald, Alison Leiner, Chelsea Rafinski, Jacob and Melanie Leiner; and one great-grandchild, Benjamin Rafinski.
After New York, Patti spent summers in Ocean City, while her husband, Richard, was a partner and operated the Embers and Bonfire restaurants and the Candy Kitchen Shoppes. She operated art galleries at Candy Kitchen Shoppes before opening her own gallery “The Plaza Art Gallery” in the 28th Street Shopping Center.
Patti was a creative, artistic and spiritual woman who will be missed dearly by her friends and family.
Services were held at Temple Bat Yam, 11036 Worcester Highway in Berlin on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2011. Burial immediately followed the service at Beth Israel Cemetery in Salisbury.
The family received friends and family at the home of Bruce and Cynthia Leiner in Ocean City following interment.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Temple Bat Yam.
Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home, 501 Snow Hill Rd. Salisbury, Md. 21804.
To send condolences to the family, visit www.hollowayfh.com.
SALISBURY — Patsy June Ryan, age 85, died Monday, Aug. 1, 2011 at Coastal Hospice at the Lake in Salisbury.
Born in Tennessee she was the daughter of the late Creed E. Parham and June Brady Parham. She is survived by her beloved husband of 45 years, Joseph J. Ryan.
Mrs. Ryan was a graduate of Avrett College in Danville, Va. She had worked as a Social Worker for the Children’s Home Society of Virginia.
Along with her husband she is survived by a son, Nelson C. Pemberton and his wife Joan; a daughter, Jo Ann Torgersen; eight grandchildren, John H. Pemberton, Gillian L. Pemberton, Phillip Marquis, Justin Hast, Jessica Wedell, Ryan Torgersen, Torger Torgersen and Arwen Torgersen Flynn; six great grandchildren, J. Hardey Pemberton, Sydney Pemberton, Gwen Marquis, Natalie Marquis, Lauren Flynn and Emma Flynn; and a special friend and caretaker, Irma DeLeon.
Friends may call on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 from 4-7 p.m. at the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.
A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2011 at 1 p.m. at National Memorial Park Cemetery in Falls Church, Va.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Coastal Hospice, PO Box 1733, Salisbury, Md. 21804.