Barby Anna Williams

Barby Anna Williams January 8, 1954 – November 13, 2015 Barby Anna Williams of Waco entered Heaven on Friday, November 13, 2015. A service to celebrate her life will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, November 19, at Seventh and James Baptist Church with the Rev. Steve Childers officiating. The service will be followed by a reception at the Bill Daniels Student Union Building on Baylor Campus. Barby was born January 8, 1954, in Tokyo, Japan, to Air Force Captain William A. Parrish and Deanie Bishop Parrish. She grew up with her sister, Nancy, in Houston and moved to Waco in the Fall of 1971 to attend Baylor. As an active Athenian (now Kappa Kappa Gamma) at Baylor, Barby made life-long friends, was honored as a Baylor Beauty, and met the love of her life, Dale Williams. In 1975, Barby and Dale married and began their incredible 40-year journey together. As newlyweds, Barby taught 5th and 6th graders in Bosqueville while Dale attended Baylor Law School. Barby and Dale were blessed with two children, Brady and Brook. Barby treasured family, and her proudest accomplishments were her children and grandchildren. Barby was a co-founder of Waco Baptist Academy and served as President of the Board. The school presents the Barby Williams “Faithful Servant Award” and scholarship each year to the student most deserving. She founded and taught a women’s Sunday School class at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church for many years, as well as founded 1st Call to Prayer at Baylor University. Barby enjoyed many summers with family in Colorado, where her love for the mountains and horseback riding began. She cherished family vacations, especially trips to Disney World with her children and grandchildren. As the owner of Roots Boutique in downtown Waco, Barby passionately served her customers and mentored her beloved employees. Her creative talent and effortless eye for fashion were on full display as she ran the top clothing boutique in town. A steadfast optimist, Barby’s inner strength and contagious confidence created a desire in each of us to be the best possible version of ourselves. All who knew her witnessed her faith in Christ, her resolute kindness, her persistent joy and tenacious selflessness. Above all, her deepest desire was to serve the Lord through serving others. She was preceded in death by her father, William A. Parrish. Left to honor her memory are her husband, Dale Williams, Waco; son, Brady Williams, and wife, Kim, of Newport Beach, California; daughter, Brook Henry, and husband, Michael, of Dallas; mother, Deanie Parrish, Waco; sister, Nancy Parrish, Waco; and grandchildren, Logan Henry, Jonah Henry, and Charley Williams. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Barby Williams “Faithful Servant Award” and Scholarship at Waco Baptist Academy. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com.