Bonnie Jean (Romence) Williams

Bonnie Jean Williams was born on February 9, 1933, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was raised in Portage and spent most of her adult years there, having been married and raising her children there as well. Her birth family was the Romence family who were prominent in Portage. She carried this name well and had a strong sense of family.

Bonnie was a graduate of Western Michigan University holding a Bachelor of Arts in Occupational Therapy. She was proud of her degree as she expressed these years were seen as “missionary years” to those in need. Through this degree she worked at the University of Michigan Hospital and Fairmont Hospital in Kalamazoo.

She met and later married Harvey Williams from her time at the University of Michigan. Harvey had come up from Louisville, Kentucky to attend Michigan and was the “star center” of the basketball team at the time they met. Once they were married, they both agreed to settle and raise their children in Portage. Harvey then became employed at the United States Post Office and later a professor of Philosophy at Western Michigan University which he enjoyed.

Throughout her married years she worked a few years in her field which she was proud of. She shared stories of patients, employers, and the circle of society women who generously volunteered to help her with patient activities. She went to great lengths to provide uplifting and encouraging activities. Within these years she later devoted her life to raising and supporting family as well as church ministry. She was also seen as the matriarch of her family. She supported and ran many events from birthdays, holidays, and Sunday family prayer groups. Her and her sisters did many events together raising their children together. Her parents had a pool they gathered at often and they did many social events as well. She lived a rich and full life.

Bonnie was a devoted Christian, a born leader, pioneering in her faith. She was raised in the Portage United Methodist Church, now Pathfinder Church. She had ministry at the Methodist church during her years of attendance being the coffee lady with her sister Carol, to the plant lady, and women's ministry. She also taught Sunday school and Bible school many times for children. She later held prayer groups over the city of Kalamazoo with her daughter and with her father evangelistic meetings with a group of pastors from Kalamazoo. She always witnessed the love of Christ, and her faith was her guiding force, directing her every step. She seemed to have ministry everywhere she went. She held more open ministry in a variety of churches and para-church ministries.

Bonnie in later adult years formed her own ministry with her oldest daughter, Laurie, - “The Resurrection Body.” This was a ministry to the whole church body that brought in speakers from across the region, even a few speakers who came from other nations. They held retreats and prophetic meetings. She loved her ministry, and it became one of her proudest accomplishments as she stood through spiritual warfare to accomplish her God given assignment. This affected her many adventurous and courageous life experiences she fondly shared right up until the later points of life. She really enjoyed reaching out and touching the world for Christ. It went on to become a well noted ministry for its time, keeping the Body of Christ tuned into the fresh newcoming moves of God. She led a vital and active life in this way.

Another clear expression of her faith was a mission trip she took to China with her sister Carol and Nora Lam. This opened her up to the larger world-wide body of Christ. It was remembered by her as a blessing that built up her faith. She was always looking to grow in Christ and seeking to remain strong for the assignments God placed on her life.

In her more advanced years, she again supported family and church ministry. She supported activities with her granddaughter to events with the extended family, and the church ministry of her eldest daughter Laurie. She also greatly supported Laurie in obtaining her Doctor of Ministry degree from United Seminary, along with participating in creative ministry projects with her youngest daughter Jennifer as the Lord led. With her middle daughter Heidi, she supported job transitions and family game nights. Through these years she expressed her creative side as well in painting, or she was and is a highly gifted artist.

Everyone who knew her had known she was marked for great things in Christ. She was gentle and extremely generous, kind, over-running with love, and truly stood strong in her faith – especially in difficult times. She was beautiful inside and out and was a true example of Christ.

She is survived by her two daughters Jennifer and Heidi Williams as well as her granddaughter Ashleigh Garrod with her husband Brad. She has two sisters Carol Arnett and Diane Gowell; and a brother, Bob Romence. They as well had children and grandchildren she reached out to. She is greatly loved and continues to be an inspiration to us all being strong in her faith. She shared so many memorable moments that were sweet and fun, full of biblical wisdom. She was a Proverbs 31 woman – genuine, hardworking to every task at hand. She spiritually accomplished so much in her lifetime. We know the Lord will truly say well done thou good and faithful servant.

Bonnie will be laid to rest beside her late husband Harvey and daughter Laurie at Portage South Cemetery. A gathering will be held at Pathfinder Church on Friday, October 27, 2023, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm with a celebration of life beginning at 2:00 and followed by a reception at church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family to help cover costs of funeral services, they may be made out to Bonnie's daughter Jennifer and mailed to Langeland Family Funeral Homes 622 S. Burdick St. Kalamazoo, MI 49007.Please visit Bonnie’s memorial webpage to share memories and condolences with her family at https://www.Langelands.com