Retta May Williams, 82

Retta May Williams, 82, passed away on Sunday, March 4, 2007, in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 9, 2007, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 602 Schweitzer Cutoff Rd., in Sandpoint, Idaho. A burial will follow at Pack River Cemetery in Sandpoint. The services will be under the direction of Bishop Nelson Boren.

Retta was born in Upalco, Utah, on Aug. 16, 1924, where she attended school. She moved to the Sandpoint area in December 1948, working as a custodian at Northside School until retiring in 1973.

On Jan. 19, 1972 she married Lyle Williams in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sunnyside Ward.

She was also a member of the Pack River Thimble Club and the Oden Busy Bees. She enjoyed her flower garden and raising iris, crocheting, riding horses and the "big old trees" in her yard.

She is survived by her husband, Lyle Williams of Sandpoint; seven children, Boyd (and Sharlynn) Merkley of Post Falls, Idaho, Barbara (and Steve) Hartman of St. Maries, Idaho, Chris (and Pilar) Merkley of Sandpoint, Cheryl Dansen of Post Falls, Kathy Cooper of Prineville, Ore., Ed Williams of Sandpoint and Terry Gunter of Sandpoint; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two brothers, Lyle Mecham of Sandpoint and William Mecham of Laclede, Idaho; two sisters, Lenora Sumsion of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Edna Neer of Sagle, Idaho; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Retta was preceded in death by her parents; a husband, Hugh Merkley; a son, Wayne Merkley; two brothers and a sister.

Family and friends are invited to sign Retta's online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.