Obituary of Catherine Williams

WilliamsCatherine Catherine “Splash” Williams Catherine deGruyter “Splash” Williams, 83, passed away Tuesday, October 9, 2007, at Holbrook’s Nursing Home in Buckhannon. She was born July 4, 1924, in Charleston, WV, the daughter of Julius Allen and Eleanor Dudley Smith deGruyter. She is survived by three sons: David and wife Beth, and granddaughter Joanne; Tim, and wife Debbie and grandchildren Nick and Haley; Danny and wife Dianne and grandchildren Brandon and Brittany, and daughter Tappan and husband Duwane Squires and grandchildren Katie, Will, Tim and Sammy all of Buckhannon. Also surviving are two sisters, Ann Sticklen of Jacksonville, FL (formerly of Charleston), and Betsy Rose of Charlotte, NC, and sister-in-law Joanne Williams Woods of Grand Rapids, MI. She was preceded in death by her husband, W. David Williams, Jr., and her brother Allen “Deak” deGruyter of Houston, TX. Splash grew up in Charleston, WV, graduating from Charleston High School in 1942, attended Morris-Harvey College (now the University of Charleston), but later transferred to West Virginia University where she graduated with a degree in Physical Education, Health and Recreation in 1947. She taught in the Kanawha County Schools and continued to be active with the Girls Scouts of America. Splash received her nickname as a Water Front Director at her beloved Camp Ann Bailey. She married David Williams, Jr., from Morgantown, WV, in a red, white and blue ceremony on June 2, 1951. After residences in Elkins, Nutter Fort, Bridgeport, and Canton, OH, Splash and Dynamite Dave—an explosive expert with Atlas Powder Co.—moved to Buckhannon in 1963. With the assistance of West Virginia Wesleyan College, Splash founded the Buckhannon-Wesleyan Swim Team’s, and taught scores of swimmers during her coaching years of 1964-1996. She helped develop Wesleyan’s Women’s Swimming in the late 1960’s and taught Water Safety and Lifesaving courses as well as adult swim classes through the Upshur County Board of Education. In 1981, she entered the world of Masters Swimming, where she held national and international records, traveling across the US and Canada, and even to Australia in 1988. In 2005, Splash won three gold medals and a silver medal at the Summer National Senior Olympic Games in Pittsburgh, PA. Employed by the Upshur County Board of Education as a Reading Specialist, Splash helped high school students at all ability levels increase their reading speed, comprehension, and vocabulary. She also coached Girls’ Track, Basketball, and the Cheer Squad. After retirement, she remained active with Literacy Volunteers and at area grade schools reading with youngsters. Splash attended the First Presbyterian Church of Buckhannon for over 40 years, serving as a Sunday school teacher, session member and elder, and received an Honorarium of Presbyterian Women. She was the first to receive the Outstanding Woman in Sports from the WV Women’s Commission in 1985, was honored with the Rotary’s Athena Award Woman of the Year in 1988, and received the Service Above Self Award from the Buckhannon Rotary Club in 1997. Splash was a member of the Professional Educators’ Association and a proud 50 year sister of the Chi Omega Sorority. Contributions may be made in Splash’s honor to the Buckhannon Swim Club Splashers, c/o 28 Boggess Street, Buckhannon, WV. Visitation will be at the First Presbyterian Church on Friday, October 12, from 2-5:00 pm and 7-9:00 pm. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 13, at 2 pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Buckhannon with the Rev. Jack Bohman officiating. Burial will follow at Heavner Cemetery. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling- St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Visitation Friday, October 12, 2007 2-5 & 7-9 PM First Presbyterian Church Funeral Service Saturday, October 13, 2007 2 PM First Presbyterian Church Burial Heavner Cemetery