Kathryn 'Jimmie' Williams

Kathryn Frances “Jimmie” Pechacek Williams, 96, of Robinson, went to be with her Lord and Savior on July 3, 2022, at her residence. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 7, at Pecan Grove Funeral Home, Waco. A brief viewing will be held at 9:30 a.m. at the church. A rosary will be recited at 10 a.m. followed by Mass at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 8 at St. Mary Church of the Assumption in Waco. Burial will immediately follow at Oakwood Cemetery with Father Geleney officiating.

Jimmie was born December 9, 1925, in Elk, Texas, to Joe and Angelina (Mladenka) Pechacek. Her Daddy wanted another boy, but when Jimmie was three, he spied a jingle in the local newspaper advertising Budweiser beer and loved it. From this came the lifelong nickname “Jimmie.” She attended the Elk School until 1941 before transferring and graduating from La Vega High School in 1943. Jimmie met the love of her life in the summer of 1942. Three months after they met and fell in love, Robert volunteered for the Navy and served until 1946. Robert proposed on Jimmie’s twenty-first birthday in 1946, and they were married on March 23, 1947. She kept all the love letters that Robert Jr. sent her while he was enlisted and combined them into a book titled “Love Letters” as a gift for her children.

Together, they adopted and raised two beautiful daughters, Liz and Kay. Jimmie told everyone she met how God reached down and touched them when he brought the girls into their lives. Family was important to Jimmie, therefore, she wrote another book titled “My Memoirs” to document her life as a legacy to her children and grandchildren.

Jimmie developed many meaningful friendships over the years. Most evenings were spent around a table playing dominos, bunco, penny-ante poker, or spades. The Elk Hall created many happy memories of dancing, music, and later anniversary parties at their “happy place”. Jimmie loved to waltz with her dad. She was captivated by the world of sports and cheered on her Dallas Cowboys, Baylor Bears, and Robinson Rockets each season. Jimmie was an avid bowler from the 1950s until she hung up her shoes in 2001. She had great fun traveling with her friends and family and hosting various events at her home. She loved playing dominos with Lorene Gann every Friday night and beating Kay and Barry (most of the time).

She served in various community roles such as the president of the local women’s guild, a Campfire Blue Bird Leader, cultural arts chair, recording secretary and music coordinator, president of the PTA for two years, and a recipient of the State PTA Life Membership award in 1979.

Jimmie was a devoted woman of faith. In 1950, she became a member at St. Mary Church of the Assumption, in Waco. She was a member of the first St. Mary’s school board and later started the first Christian education program. Jimmie joined the St. Mary’s Women’s Guild in 1965 and served three two-year terms as president. The St. Mary’s Support for the Bereaved Ministry was her most prized accomplishment: she established the ministry in 1985 and was the chairman and director until 2005, after twenty years of providing meals to bereaved church families.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert Lee Williams Jr. in 2013; her sister, Ella Mary “Sis” Kimball in 2010; and her brother, Ivan Joe “Jelly” Pechacek in 2009.

Jimmie is survived by two daughters, Liz Walker, Kay Gann and husband, Barry, of Robinson; five grandchildren, Katelyn Powers and husband, Aaron, of Austin, Ivy DeBruycker and wife, Allie, of Waco, Brady Gann of Robinson, Dustin Gann of Robinson, and Kaci Gann of Waco; honorary daughter, Lisa Maxwell and husband, Ricky, of Robinson; best friend and long-time partner in crime, Ruth Penton and husband, Gene, of Hewitt. She is also survived by beloved great-grandchildren, Kayden Charles, Micah Thomas and Noelle Kathryn; as well as many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Pallbearers are Tommy Pechacek, Pat Kimball, Ricky Maxwell, Jim Wetzel, Aaron Powers, Barry Gann, Brady Gann, and Dustin Gann. Honorary Pallbearer is Gene Penton.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Inez Sisneroz for all the love and support she showed Jimmie the last 3 years: it was a match made in heaven, as Inez was the perfect caregiver for Jimmie’s spirit. Thanks to Right at Home for coordinating her care.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Mary Church of the Assumption or Friends for Life Waco.