Barbara Williams

Barbara Williams, 71, of Cheyenne Wyoming, passed away on June 24 while resting peacefully in her sleep.

Barb was a proud French Canadian who made the small town of Saratoga, her home for the majority of her life. The cornerstone of her life were her two sons Greg, and Jeff whom she raised as a single mother. If you were fortunate enough to have met Barb, you remembered her and she remembered you. She either loved you or she didn't and wasn't shy about letting you know either. A charismatic storyteller, Barb could make conversation with anyone who crossed her path and loved telling prideful stories of her Canadian roots, and large family of four brothers and eight sisters to anyone who would listen.

With a contagious smile and ornery attitude, Barb was the first one to answer the bell for someone in need. Giving the "shirt off her back" was a given, even while knowing she might not have another to replace it. Barb was a soldier in life, and was blessed without the need for material wealth to make her happy. She found joy in the simple things in life, fishing the North Platte river, cheering for her beloved Rockies, she loved figure skating, gambling (maybe a bit to much as times), cribbage for hours on end and singing and dancing like tomorrow would never come were some of her favorite things to do. She was never more at home than when she was in the company of her two sons, her grandchildren and loyal friends she made while living and working in the Valley.

Barbara is survived by her two sons Greg (Susan) Williams of Cheyenne, Wyo., Jeff (Amanda) Williams of Boone, N.C., her seven grandchildren Nicholas and Bailey Williams, Ashlee Rooks, Iain, Olivia, Aden, Dylan Williams and one great granddaughter, Paislee Rooks; her three brothers Steven, Arthur and David; her seven sisters, Penney, Beverly, Heather, Anita, Helen, Janet and Ruthy. She was preceded in death by her parents Roderick and Pansy Jones, her sister Susan and brother Malcom.

A celebration of Barb's life will take place in Saratoga on Saturday, July 11. Her ashes will be spread on a float from Treasure Island to town starting at 12 p.m. (All are welcome) followed by a reception at Veteran's Island starting at 6:30 p.m. Anyone who loved Barb is welcome to join family and friends for a beer and hors d' oeuvres. Wyoming lost a beautiful soul that can't be replaced, but can be celebrated. Please join us.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Barbara's name to the Heart Institute at the Children's Hospital in Denver.