Gertrud Kolb Williams

Gertrud Kolb Williams, 97, of Maryville, TN, passed away on Wednesday, March 2, 2016. Mrs. Williams was born on Oct. 13, 1918, in Heidelberg Germany, to the late Heinrich and Edith Martin Kolb. She was married to the late James M. Williams for 54 years. Her family includes her children, Margaret W. Moses of Gray TN, Betty S. Williams of Seattle WA, Jim H. Williams of Reston, VA, and the late Mary W. Mauney. She has two grandchildren, Jessica Z. Williams-Jordan and Rob Williams. Gertrud was one of the first German war brides from WW II, arriving in Maryville in 1947. Soon afterwards, she became a naturalized citizen of the US. Gertrud was named as a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. This award recognizes "tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world." Instead of flowers the family requests donations be made to the First United Methodist Church of Maryville Memorial Fund. The service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 804 Montvale Station Road, Maryville TN at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 6. The entombment will follow in Grandview Mausoleum. The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 2:00 at the church prior to the service.