Rita Cecilia Petkovsek Williams, 83, of Beaumont, Texas entered into eternal rest and peace on Wednesday, January 19, 2011, at her home in Nederland, Texas. Rita was born on November 17, 1927, to Andrew Lawrence and Mary Aubey Petkovsek in Beaumont, Texas and had resided in Nederland, Texas for the past twenty years. She was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church of Nederland, Texas, and previously a member of Our Lady of the Assumption in Beaumont, Texas. In 1949, she married the love of her life, Ralph Walton Williams. They had two children and were married for sixty-one years. She was a loving and loyal wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. Rita helped shape many young lives through her work with cub scouts. She was an accomplished swimmer and a Red Cross water safety instructor. Rita taught many children how to swim and certified many adult swimmers as lifeguards. She will be missed greatly, loved beyond measure and remembered forever by the many she blessed with her simple graciousness, generosity, and tender loving heart. Rita was truly an exceptional person.
She is survived by her husband of sixty-one years, Ralph Walton Williams of Nederland; sons, Steven Ralph Williams and his wife Paula of Friendswood and Bradley James Williams and his wife Stacie of Port Neches; grandchildren, Brad Williams and his wife Cindy of Aptos, California and Christopher Williams and his wife Brittny of Orange, Texas; great-grandsons, Luke Williams and Gavin Williams; brothers, Andrew L. Petkovsek, Jr. and his wife Aline of Labelle, Gerard J. Petkovsek and his wife Lois of Beaumont, Victor A. Petkovsek and his wife Lolita of Lumberton and Charles L. Petkovsek of Beaumont; dear loving lifelong friend, Marjorie Savoy; and several loving nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Andrew Lawrence and Mary Aubey Petkovsek; and grandson, James Connor Williams.
Her funeral service will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 22, 2011, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont, with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. A gathering of her family and friends will begin at 5:00 p.m. with a Rosary recited 7:00 p.m., Friday, January 21, 2011, at Broussard’s.
