Patricia Janet Bliss Williams

Patricia Janet Bliss Williams, beloved wife of the late Sherman Blake Williams, died in Little Rock on Saturday, June 8, 2014. She was 88 years old. She is survived by her son, Thomas Blake Williams and his wife, Elizabeth Anne Moler, of McLean, Virginia; her grandson, Blake Martin Williams, of Chicago, Illinois; her granddaughter, Eleanor Bliss Williams of Charlotte, North Carolina; and her orange tabby cat, Caldonia. Mrs. Williams was born in Cross Timber, Missouri, on September 24, 1925, the only child of Perry Paul Bliss and Hughla Roark Bliss. She lived in and attended elementary and secondary school in Neosho, until she enrolled at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. A member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority since 1944, she graduated in 1947 with a Bachelor of Science in Education with Honors. While at the University, she met a fellow student, a World War II veteran and her future husband, Sherman. Their son Tom was born in Joplin, Missouri, near Neosho, in 1948. The family lived in several locations in Arkansas until they moved to Little Rock in 1957. Her husband Sherman died in 1992. She continued to live in Little Rock until her death. Mrs. Williams taught high school at Hall High School in Little Rock for many years. The first year she taught, the Little Rock public schools were closed due to the integration controversy. She spent much of the school year in the teachers' lounge, awaiting the reopening of the school system. She went on to teach English and journalism. She was a faculty sponsor for the Hall High School newspaper and yearbook. She loved teaching and was loved by her students in return. One of her greatest joys was being remembered and contacted by former students for years after graduation. After her retirement from teaching, she and her husband purchased Bard's Restaurant in the Heights, which they operated for many years. "Pat" could be seen at the restaurant practically every morning, greeting her friends and loyal customers, while Sherman managed the restaurant and supervised the kitchen. Pat loved her grandchildren, English literature and history, the Big Band era, the company of her many kind friends and neighbors, and gardening. She was especially proud of her award winning African violets. She was a member of several Little Rock book clubs and was an especially popular reviewer until late in life. She remained an avid reader until her death. She was grateful for the wonderful care she received at Fox Ridge Senior Living and from the Arkansas Hospice Home Care near the end of her life. A memorial service will be held June 17 at 2 p.m. at the Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth Funeral Home, 5800 West 12th Street, in Little Rock. A funeral service will be held at a future date at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, where she will be interred next to her husband. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Humane Society of Pulaski County, 14600 Colonel Glenn Rd., Little Rock, Ark. 72210. Online guestbook is available at www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.