Gladys Maude Williamson

Gladys Maude (Hill) Williamson, passed peacefully from this life on Friday, May 4, 2024, at her grandson's house, with her family by her side.  She was born on March 22, 1924, in London, England to the late Robert and Amy (Hall) Hill. 

Glady, as she was affectionately called by her husband, was quick-witted, determined and feisty. She always kept a stiff upper lip and could give you a look that would make you quiver in your boots. 

Raised in London, England she had fond memories of walking to Buckingham palace with her dad to see the royal family. Her first job was at a brewery where once a week she would have to spend the night on the roof looking for German aircraft.  When asked if she slept on the job, she responded, “ No, you idiot. I was looking for the German aircraft.” After the Battle of Britain Gladys proudly went to work at an ammunition factory making bullets for the allied forces. World War 2 brought many changes to her life but it also brought many dances. Never deterred, Gladys would ignore air raid sirens to make it to dances on time, bomb shelters would dirty her dress and that would be intolerable. 

Gladys met her 1st husband, Howard Van Ness, a member of the 101st airborne.  They had a son, Richard (Rick) who was born in Reading, England. She was a loving but stern mom raising him with strong values and a commendable work ethic. Gladys loved Rick with everything she had. When He was 2 yrs old they boarded the RMS Queen Mary and sailed across “the pond” to the United States. Unfortunately, sailing was not Gladys' strong suit and she spent the passage in her state room sick. 

Upon entering the United States at Ellis Island Gladys was in for a culture shock as she was the quintessential city girl headed for the slow paced life of the mid-west. Her and Rick boarded a train in New York City and headed to Greenwood, Indiana where she would live amongst cornfields, dirt roads and to her absolute horror…..outhouses. But, not to be deterred, Gladys jumped right in and attended classes given by the American Red Cross where she learned how to cook American food and how to adjust to the American lifestyle. It was here she met many other British war brides whom she continued a relationship with for the rest of her life.  

In 1969 Gladys married the love of her life, Lee Williamson. He loved his independent and feisty British bride and she loved his kind and gentle heart. They traveled all over the world but Gladys’s favorite place to visit was “home” England. 

As a die hard Trump supporter her favorite gift she received for her 100th birthday was a letter from Donald J. Trump whom she believed was the true president. Asked what she would do if Joe Biden sent one, she responded, “I’ll, burn it”. Gladys loved the United States and her  homeland. This love for both countries she passed onto her family, “God save the Queen”. 

Independent and feisty to the end Gladys refused to give in to her age, she celebrated her “29th” birthday every year only conceding that her 100th birthday was worth making a change for. Her wonderful wit, sense of humor and one liners will remain a constant and fond memory for everyone who knew her.  

Some of her most used lines were,” oh, balls!, bloody hell!, Would you jump into my coffin that quick?, I'm going to punch your lights out!, it's a B….h getting old, I'm as old as my tongue and a little bit older than me teeth, when someone was going to the bathroom she would say, “Give them my name they’ll give you a good seat” and finally "Home James, don't spare the horses!” Which is where her story comes to an end. Grandma Gladys was a lovely, strong, independent and feisty woman who found great pleasure in her family. We raise our glass to you, Grandma, and say, “up yous!”.  Cheerio! Ta! Ta!  We love you!

Though she is gone her legacy continues through her grandchildren, Brad (Mary) Van Ness of Danville, Cathy (Mark) Wells of Monrovia, and Tyler (Amber) Van Ness of Sullivan; step-son, Mike Williamson of Rockford, IL; 9 great-grandchildren,  Jesse, Walker, Mary, Levi, Abby, Maggie, Eli, Brycen, and Charlie; 4 great-great grandchildren, Lottie, Brier, Lincoln and silas; sister, Rose (Ron) Hamblin of Woodly, England. Gladys is preceded in death by her husband, Lee Williamson, and her beloved son, Rick Van Ness.