Barbara H. Williams

WARRENSBURG:  Surrounded by the love of her family, Barbara Hitlin Williams passed away peacefully on July 15, 2026, just before Final Jeopardy.  She was 79 years old. 

Born on September 29, 1946, in the Bronx, New York, Barbara was raised on Long Island.  As a teenager, she relocated to Lake George when her family embarked on a new venture, owning and operating lakeside cottages.  During her youth, Barbara earned the distinction of being crowned the 1964 Lake George Winter Carnival Queen.

Barbara married her true love, Bob, in 1965.  Together they built a life in Warrensburg, where they put down roots, raised their family, and created a warm and loving home.

Barb and Bob enjoyed leaving the New York winters by traveling to Boqueròn, Puerto Rico, a second home with a “second family” that held a special place in their hearts.  Barbara continued this tradition until very recently.  Following her legacy of pageantry, Barb was also crowned the Fairy Queen of the Boqueròn St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Barbara had a long and fulfilling career in the hospitality and food service industry in the Lake George area, ultimately retiring from The Sagamore Resort.  She was known for her quick smile, sparkling eyes, and outgoing nature.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Elizabeth and Edward Hitlin, her parents-in-law, Hilda and Clarence Williams, and her beloved husband, Robert “Bob/Gomez” Williams.

Left to cherish her memory are her “Good Brother”, Peter Hitlin (Deborah); her brother-in-law, John Doran, her children, Terry Williams (Margaret), Leigh Cain (Paul), and Kristine Webster (Edward); and her cherished grandchildren, Nathan (Courtney), Jayden, and Joseph Cain, Molly-Kate Kelly (Jimmy), Nathan (Taylor) and Logan Webster.  She also leaves behind eight treasured great-grandchildren, her special Aunt Cookie, a large and loving crew of cousins, nieces, nephews, and a wide circle of friends.

Barbara’s greatest joy was the people she loved.

Those wishing to honor Barbara's memory may make memorial donations to Lake George American Legion Post 374, P.O. Box 267, Lake George, NY 12845.

Visitation for Barbara’s family and friends will be held on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 from 4pm-6pm at Alexander Funeral Home, 3809 Main Street, Warrensburg, NY.  A funeral service will be held following visitation at 6pm.

Barbara will be privately laid to rest with her beloved Bob in Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery.

After I wrote this, I looked it over and said “this is not enough” it is never enough. What do you

say about the person who has known you for the very longest and loved you the very best.

Anyway

Who is Franklin Delano Roosevelt? That was the Final Jeopardy answer on Wednesday July

15th. I had to look it up because my mother had passed away just before final jeopardy. We

were in the room. It was our family tradition to watch Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy whenever

we were together. Between all of the hospitalizations and recuperations, some or all of us were

together many weeknights between 7 and 8 pm. My mom in her weakest or most confused state

would still bang out the answers.

Who was FDR? She would have come up with that one.

Who was Barbara Ann Hitlin Williams?

She was

A daughter

Granddaughter

Niece

Cousin…correction…the original Cuz

Sister

Friend

Wife

Mother

Princess

Queen

Ballerina (not really)

My mother was the first grandchild born into a large and loving family. She was celebrated and

adored. She was given to know from day one that she was special…set apart…what a gift.

Can that kind of adoration go to your head? Maybe? She felt justified in giving you her

opinion..whether you had asked for it or not. My mother carried herself in a certain way, like she

came from a long line of royalty. Sometimes that’s a great coping mechanism I think. We spent

most evenings at her house while she was recuperating. She was never feeling great. We would

ask “Mom, which leftovers do you want for dinner? Meatloaf? Lasagna? “ We were tired, trying

to check dinner prep off the list. She would perk up and answer ”ooooh…..hmmmm I think I’ll try

the meatloaf tonight” Spoken like she was a jetsetter sitting in a fancy restaurant in Paris,

choosing between different kinds of caviar.

So my mom had all the makings to be a diva…she had the attitude, she liked being tended to.

But what sets her apart from being a true diva is her tremendous work ethic. From her we

learned: you get up every morning, you go to work, you bust your butt, you get the job done.

And you NEVER called in sick. This ingrained so deeply in all of us. She wanted to live a full life,

travel, be with friends and family. She worked very hard so that she could, in turn, relax…very hard. 

Another thing that sets her apart from true diva-hood is that she could never be mistaken for a

drama queen. She was never an over reactor, she was pragmatic and practical. She taught us

that when problems arise you do not panic, you figured out what needed to be done and you got

to work. She believed in action over drama. That quiet strength is one of the greatest gifts that she

gave us.

That being said, she was warm, our soft place to land. She was our Mom, Mother, Mommy.

Not a PTA Mom by any means. But that unconditional love that was poured into her was the

basis upon which she raised her own children. We are blessed by God to be the beneficiaries of

that generational love.When the world got to be too much, we always knew we could come

home. Because home was where the love was. If you cried, she would cry with you. I did not

realize what a gift that was until I got out in the real world. Not everyone has a home like that, a

family like that, a mother like that.

In conclusion, I am changing the subject: My mother was frugal… a saver of all things. We

always rolled our eyes, but it was her treasure trove we raided when we needed parts and

pieces to put a Halloween costume together. She was always so thrilled when that crazy piece

of something she’d been saving actually got put to use…she would always say “I told you so!!”

That tendency never left her… with each hospitalization, before we left her room, she’d make us

gather up all of the extra toiletries, equipment, fruit cups, crackers, and bring them home so they

would not go to waste.

SO in true Barbara fashion, I thought we should honor her one last time. (Hold up basket)

These are your funeral favors…compliments of Barbara. A little collection of hospital treasures

that she insisted we bring home. And if you actually find yourself USING one of these , Know

that somewhere, my mother is smiling and absolutely thrilled that something she saved finally

came in handy. She will be saying loud and clear “I told you so!"