Ruth Arlene (Dixon) Williams, 67, passed away on June 13, 2022, in Marion, Ind., surrounded by her kids and grandkids. She was born in Centerline, Mich., on June 13, 1955, to Gerald and Alice Dixon, and raised in Great Bend, by her father and mother, Helene Freeman. Ruth was the only daughter and oldest sibling to brothers Albert “Bert” and Gerry Dixon.
Ruth moved to John Day, Ore., and graduated from Grant Union High School in 1975. She married Arnold Morin, with whom she had a son, Jason. Ruth later joined the Navy in the late 1970s, where she met and later married Clayton Exferd, with whom she had a daughter, Kelly. She then married Kenny Miller and became a stepmother to Karen. In 2002, she married Ken Williams, and they remained married until his passing in 2016.
After moving back to Great Bend, Ruth worked in the Great Bend Tribune Classifieds Department during the late 1980s. In 1990, she moved with her children back to Oregon and worked different jobs to support her family. Starting in 1999, Ruth took on her favorite role in life as a grandma and was blessed with her grandkids: Madison, Kendall, Faith, Hope, Ryan, Jonas and Molly. Aside from spending time with her family, she enjoyed traveling and never met a stranger. Ruth had many adopted kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, and friends whom she cherished.
Ruth is survived by her son, Jason (Michelle) Morin of Converse, Ind.; a daughter, Kelly (Joel) Jones of Union, Ore.; a brother, Gerry (Carrie) Dixon of Hopatcong, N.J.; grandchildren, Madison Exferd, Kendall Exferd, Ryan Jones, and Molly Grimm; a niece, Kathrine Dixon; a nephew, Blake Dixon; life-long best friend Jody (Craig) Bucl; and numerous cousins and relatives. She was preceded in death by her late husband, Ken Williams; her parents, Gerald and Helene Dixon, Alice Hatchel; a brother, Bert Dixon; grandchildren, Faith, Hope, and Jonas Morin; all of her grandparents, aunts, and uncles.
Graveside memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 9, 2022, at Browns Grove Cemetery in Burdett, with Reverend Dick Ogle presiding and United States Navy and American Legion honors performed. A celebration of life will follow from noon to 2 p.m. at the Eagles Club in Great Bend, Kansas. Memorials have been designated to VFW Post #3111 or Golden Belt Humane Society, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.