Mary Lou Williams, age 83, formerly of North Canton, OH, passed away Thursday, January 1, 2009 at her home in Wheaton, Illinois. Born Mary Louella Ulrich on August 7, 1925, she moved from Pleasant City, Ohio to Canton during the 1940's and started her professional career as an executive secretary at Hercules and Timken. She married Benjamin J. Williams on June 16, 1946, and moved to North Canton in 1957, where she lived until June 2005 at which time she moved to Wheaton to be with her daughter and grandchildren. A dedicated professional for over 60 years, she worked as a secretary with the North Canton School system for over 20 years and at ComDoc for over 15 years. She served as President of the North Canton Women's Club and belonged to that organization's Gavel Club; she was President of the CODI Chapter of the National Secretary's Organization, currently known as the International Association of Administrative Professionals; and she served as Ohio State Commander of the Disabled American Veteran's Auxiliary (DAVA).

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her husband, Benjamin J. Williams, Jr. and an infant son, Benjie Alan Williams. Survivors include her daughter, Patricia Howard, four grandchildren, William Jefferson Howard (Liliana), Elizabeth Rose Orloski (Jeff), Sarah Therese Lapierre (Jim), and Katherine Williams Howard, all of Illinois; two great-grandchildren, Abigail Rose Orloski and Jason Rocco Howard; and a sister, Rosie Fisher (Jim) of North Canton.

All services will be held in Ohio at Reed Funeral Home (330-477-6721), in North Canton. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery in Canton, OH.