Our beloved and beautiful mom, grandmother, G.G.,Ola Joyce Williams King Hamilton, 83, of Salina, passed away Sunday, June 21, 2015, on the summer solstice at her home. Her larger family and many friends knew her either as “Ola” or “Joyce.”
Born in Texas on Aug. 7, 1931, she was one of the 12 children of Lillie Mae Judd and Artie Durant Williams Sr. and spent most of her life as a proud Texan, while also late in her life, embracing her adoptive Kansas.
She counted herself lucky in that, after being married to the sweetheart of her youth, Joe Winford King, for more than 50 years, she was blessed to find a second love in Raymond Curtis Hamilton. Both husbands preceded her in death, as did her parents, nine of her siblings and one beloved grandson, Kyle Joseph King.
Never one to choose the easy path, Mom made dean’s list in both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees—while rearing three small children and embracing the life of a coach’s wife, and in time, having a lengthy career as an educator. The quintessential southern lady, she was known for her charm, her quick wit and her ready (and contagious) laughter.
But we especially remember her devotion to family. To her children, she was not only a loving mother but was also a friend to her daughters, her son and to those who, in time, became part of the family by marriage to them. As her grandchildren Heath, Jana and Kyle grew up, she made it a priority to spend memorable adventures with them, and as they matured, she embraced their great loves: Amy, Jonathan and Tanya. Her great-grandchildren were also a delight to her in her later life.
Joyce is survived by her three children and their spouses, Johnny Wayne King and wife Diane Moore King, Judy Elaine White and husband Gary D. White, and Kimla Gayle King and husband John L. Crossno.
In Joyce’s grandchildren’s generation are Jana (King) Brown and husband Jonathan Brown, Heath Hefley and wife Amy (Scheidt) Hefley, and Angie (White) Livingston and husband Brian Livingston, and Tanya Parker. She remains “G.G.” to her adored great-grandchildren, Alex, Abraham, Benton and Meridian Brown (and another due in December), Cole Thomas and Sara Hefley.
Joyce is also survived by her brother, A. D. Williams Jr. and wife Lucille, and sister, Wilma Newton and husband Clifton. At the largest, her family includes a multitude of nieces, nephews and their families in both the Williams and King families, as well as the gracious members of the Hamilton family.
Joyce was the heart, the soul and strength of the family and will be cherished always.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 27, at Ryan Mortuary, Salina.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Kyle King Memorial Scholarship Fund at P.O. Box 459, Ferris, TX 75125.