Ruth Marie Williams Wayland

Ruth Marie Williams Wayland, 80, entered the place that Jesus made for her on the evening of Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022. She was born on Oct. 20, 1941, in Macomb, Illinois. She was the only child of her parents, Ralph Leroy 'Bill' Williams and Gertie Butcher Williams, who resided on a farm southwest of Macomb.

She started school with one other student at Ebenezer’s one room country school. The country schools were consolidated when she entered the sixth grade at MacArthur Grade School, then on to Edison Jr. High School and graduating from Macomb High School in 1959.

She entered her lifelong career in the medical field as a 'Candy Striper' in the seventh grade and enrolled in the Methodist School of Nursing in Peoria, Illinois. Upon graduating as a RN, she was a nurse at the McDonough District Hospital in Macomb for 11 years. She became the DON at the Macomb Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for two years and then the CEO for another nine years. After moving to Savanna, Illinois to the Savanna Hospital for two years, she then followed her husband's work track to Ulysses, Kansas to the Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital as RN, DON, and CEO positions for 11 years. She moved to the St John's Lutheran Home in Albert Lee, Minnesota for two years then to Windom, Minnesota to the Good Samaritan Nursing and Rehab Center for three years, and finally she moved to Dimmitt, Texas to the Plains Memorial Hospital as a RN, DON and other positions on the hospital staff for 33 years until retirement. Her career in the medical field extended over 67 years.

Her love for her family and extended family superseded only her compassion forthoseinneed. The phrase 'I'll ask Mom' was heard many, many times a year, and for those who worked with her, 'Can’t Fix Stupid”. Also, good advice, 'You only need two things in life. WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use WD-40, and if it moves and shouldn't, use Duck Tape.' Andforherchildren 'It had better be bleeding.'

Ruth's love for Jesus was expressed in her love of music. There was no instrument that she couldn’t play. Her love for music was extensive as was her desire for perfectioninplaying. 'Bad music was just noise' she would comment after a poor practice. It was 'Bless the Lord' after a good one. Ruth's praise for her Lord was in her music, especially the long hours on the organ. Ruth is survived by her husband, Paul of Dimmitt; children, Brenda Ann Fowler and husband Joe, Dimmitt; Angela and husband Dan Bendon, Hereford; Paula Sue Balch and husband Steve, El Reno, Oklahoma; Laura Pickard, Gardner, Kansas; Everett 'Skip' and wife Ashley Wayland, Olathe, Kansas; grandchildren, JD and wife Courtney, Oklahoma City; Rebecca and husband Sergio Cuevas, Dimmitt; Kerry and husband Micha Oelze, Hutchenson, Kansas; Caleb and wife Abigail Pickard, Lenexa, Kansas; Everett and sister Gwyneth Wayland, Olathe, Kansas; and numerous great-grandchildren with an extended family of 67.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph 'Bill' and Gertie Williams of Macomb, Illinois; Lincoln Scott Balch; and a large family of aunts and uncles.

Internment with the family will be in the Castro Memorial Gardens, Dimmitt. Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 8, at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Dimmitt, with Dr. Jonathan Sullivan and Wayne Proffitt officiating.

Gifts for the Plains Memorial Foundation at the Plains Memorial Hospital in Dimmitt in her name would be appreciated.