Bertha Pauline “Polly” Williams of McKinney, Texas, formerly of Longview, passed away on March 14, 2014. Polly was born November 30, 1934 in Sherman, Texas to Clyde and Bertha Aiken. She graduated from Sherman High School in 1953. Polly married Jerry Williams on June 30, 1959 and moved to Gladewater. To this union four children were born.
Polly made many lifelong friends during her years in Gladewater, many of them through her association with Glade Tennis and Swim Club and Glade Health Club. She was very close to her identical twin sister Clydie Rappazzo. The twins’ mother passed away when they were only thirteen. She had told them to always stick together and so they did. Polly and Clydie were inseparable. They sang harmony together as children and even made a record. They enjoyed tennis, racquetball, and weight training. Later in life Polly and Clydie traveled extensively with their Texas Stars team playing three-on-three Senior Olympics basketball. They won numerous medals and finished second at Nationals one year.
Polly moved to Longview in 1980 and lived there for many years. Her greatest joy was spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother and always put their needs before her own. Polly was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Anna Dick, and twin sister Clydie Rappazzo. She is survived by daughters Ronda Kalka of Dallas and Lori Klinger of Delray Beach, Florida: sons Dana Williams of Longview and Steven Williams of McKinney. She is also survived by eight grandchildren; Amber Pickett, Leah Pickett, Caroline Pickett, Heather Pickett, Cheyenne Klinger, Nick Klinger, Milo Williams and Lola Williams; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. A memorial service will be held at 1pm Saturday, March 22, at First Baptist Church in Gladewater. Burial will be the following Monday at West Hill Cemetery in Sherman.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in Polly’s name.