Bettye Ruth Williams

Bettye Williams was born in Swink, Oklahoma to Lillian Mae (Walton) and Elmer Bridges on December 10, 1934. The family moved to Bovina, Texas, where she attended elementary school, and later settled in Texico, New Mexico. There, Bettye and her three siblings, Letha, Kenneth, and Claudine, graduated from high school.

After graduation, Bettye worked as a cosmetologist until she met her husband, Stanley Edward Williams, on a blind date. Three weeks later, Stanley proposed, and they married in August 1954. They shared 62 years of marriage until his death in 2015. Bettye supported the family’s ranching and farming operation until retirement, then began a third career as a rural letter carrier with the United States Post Office. She was a longtime member of the Cattle Capitol Cowbelles, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the New Mexico Old Time Fiddlers Association, and Central Baptist Church. She enjoyed canning fruits and vegetables, reading, crafting, sewing, and warmly hosting cattle buyers and cowboys her father-in-law, Bud Williams, would bring home for meals. Bettye and Stanley regularly attended bluegrass jams in Farwell, where they cherished the friendships they formed.

Bettye passed away on March 11, 2026, while sitting in her favorite sunny spot at La Palmilla Assisted Living in Albuquerque. She is survived by her daughter, Michelle Williams (Mark Winslow) of Albuquerque, Jay Bollinger, whom she considered a son in every way but blood, Tracye Stewart, who was like family, her nieces and nephews, and her beloved dog, Buster. She was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley Williams; her son, Patrick Williams; her in-laws, Bud and Maude Williams; her parents, Lillian and Elmer Bridges; and her siblings, Letha Mitchell and husband J.B., Kenneth and wife Jean, and Claudine Setzer and husband Junior.

At Bettye’s request, no service will be held. Burial will take place in Logan, New Mexico.