Catherine M. Williams

Catherine May Miller Williams, 90, of Bryan, Texas, passed away on March 2, 2026. Born in Jackson, Mississippi, on July 22, 1935, she was the younger of two children born to Eugenia and F.A. Miller, Sr. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Andy Miller, Jr., and his wife, Helen.

From childhood, Catherine was an avid reader who often rode her bicycle to the local library. Her deep love of reading became a lasting legacy for her own children and the many elementary students she taught for more than 30 years. Her natural talent for organizing information and keeping records led her into teaching, a gift recognized even in high school when her instructor asked her to help teach a bookkeeping class. After graduating from high school in Jackson, she attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where she earned an undergraduate degree in education and met the love of her life, Paul E. Williams. The couple married and shared 50 devoted years together. After relocating to Bryan, Catherine earned a master’s degree in education from Texas A&M University.

Catherine excelled at creating original educational curriculum and was especially passionate about helping children who struggled with math, often inventing games to make learning accessible and enjoyable. She and Paul loved to travel, exploring the United States with their travel trailer and visiting Europe. In her later years as a widow, she joined the Traveling Aggies for a memorable tour of Alaska. Together, she and Paul owned and operated Williams Rentals, a local business they ran for many years. In 2006, she accepted the B/CS Apartment Association Independent Rental Owners Award in Paul’s honor following his death earlier that year.

A lifelong Baptist, Catherine was an active member of First Baptist Church Bryan and the Faithful Senior Co-Ed Sunday School class. Her greatest joys were her family: children Pam (Miles) Keefer and Bill (Marian) Williams; grandson Byron Rippstein; granddaughters Emily Williams and Bethany Williams; grandson Jorge Williams; and great-granddaughter Lila Labena. They remember with fondness her love of travel, Gaither Gospel music, fried shrimp, fried okra, loaded baked potatoes, and the treasured sour cream pound cake recipe passed down from her mother. The family is especially grateful for the devoted care provided by Rubbie Green during Catherine’s final years.