Violet Pauline Willcoxon-O

Violet Pauline Willcoxon-O’Hara, age 93 of Hamilton passed away on Thursday, February 19, 2009 at Wood Glen Alzheimer’s Community. She was born on October 10, 1915 in Mission, South Dakota the daughter of William Springer and Ina Goldie (Davis) Willcoxon, who were farmers. She married Wayne Ray Williams of Fairbury, Nebraska in 1931. Following her husband’s accidental death on the farm in 1942, Pauline moved into Fairbury and worked as a waitress to support her four young children. She was remarried to J.W. Spadafora in 1945, and they opened the Winslow Café in Fairbury before moving to J.W.’s hometown of Hamilton in 1953. Pauline gained employment with W.T. Grant as the luncheonette manager. As her children graduated, she assisted the company in opening other chains in the tri-state area before her retirement. Pauline enjoyed staying active, and joined other Hamilton senior citizens with garage sales, serving meals at the Center, and learning step-dancing and quilting. In 1986 she married William O’Hara. They remained active dancing at the Moose Lodge, the Senior Citizens Center, American Legion of Hamilton, and the VFW of Fairfield. Pauline’s most joyful times were spent playing the piano and organ, shooting pool with her family, baking and gardening with her many children and grandchildren. Her children and grandchildren were her pride and joy; She baked bread, rolls and cookies months in advance of the holiday and birthday celebrations, making every child’s cake special just for them.

She is survived by two sons, DeWayne R. (Evelyn) Williams-Spadafora of Germantown and Marvin L. Williams-Spadafora of Long Boat Key, Florida; two daughters, Marjorie Williams-Delaney of Fairfield and Betty Williams-Schreck of Dayton; four brothers, Raymond (Virginia) Willcoxon of Coopers Cove, Texas, Samuel (Toots) Willcoxon of Omaha, Nebraska, Clinton Willcoxon of Dewitt, Nebraska, and Donald Willcoxon of Fairbury, Nebraska; 17 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; five spouses; two sisters, Bertha Maxon and Tillie Post; and a brother, Wayne Willcoxon.

Funeral service will be held at the Brown-Dawson Funeral Home, 330 Pershing Avenue, on Monday, February 23, 2009 at 1:00 PM with Pastor Susan Hartman of Farmersville United Church of Christ, Farmersville, Ohio, officiating. Burial will follow in St. Stephen’s Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Monday from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.