Marion E. Williams

Marion Bence Williams, 93, passed peacefully on December 7, 2011 at Newport Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. She was a lifelong resident of Aquidneck Island after having lived in Newport for many years, then Middletown, and for the past 27 years in Portsmouth.She was married to Henry E. Williams for over 70 years and recently moved to Sakonnet Bay Manor assisted living after his death in January of this year.Marion was a graduate of Rogers High School and Katherine Gibbs Academy. She worked for years at the Newport Historical Society, then for Gustave White and later for the Newport School System as a teachers aide at Coggeshall School. She was the daughter of Arthur and Hannah Bence, and lived in the Point section of Newport until her marriage. Marion was not only a devoted wife and mother but also a dedicated grandmother and great grandmother. She lived each and every day to its fullest and was extremely fond of the times spent with her family, especially her great-grandchildren. She was a dedicated member of United Baptist Church and was one of their oldest members.She is survived by her daughter Cheryl Brawner and her husband Volney of Portsmouth, RI, her son Robert Williams and his wife Evelyn of Hendersonville, NC. She also leaves five grandchildren, Kristen Hughes and her husband James of Tiverton, RI, Craig Brawner and his wife Christina of Bristol, RI, Todd Williams and his wife Amy of Charlotte, NC, Troy Williams and his wife Cindy of Huntersville, NC, and Tricia McCabe and her husband Michael of Denver, NC. In addition, she is survived by six great grandchildren, Cole and Shaun Hughes, Lily Brawner, Carson and Kipton Williams, and Harper Williams. She is also survived by her sister Ethel Harrison of Bradenton, FL.She was the sister of the late Milton Bence. Calling hours will be held on Monday, December 12, 2011, from 10:00-11:00am in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with a service to follow at 11:00am.Donations in her memory may be made to American Heart Association, 1 State Street, Suite 200, Providence, RI 02908 or to the American Diabetes Association, 222 Richmond Street, Suite 204, Providence, RI 02906.