Obituary of Major Jean Elizabeth Williams

On March 20th, 1925 Captain John & Isabel Bond, while stationed in Huntsville Ontario, welcomed into their home Jean Elizabeth.  During her years growing up she has many happy memories of friends she met while moving from various communities across Canada.

It was in Windsor that she was introduced to a young man returning from the war; Clifford Williams. Cliff and Jean were married on June 28, 1947.  They both felt the Lord leading them into full time ministry as officers with The Salvation Army and it was several years later that they made preparations to leave behind the familiar. They sold their home in the spring and their family enjoyed the gracious hospitality of Cliff’s sister, Mary and her husband, Don Ballantine, and their children Connie & Len for the summer months.  In the fall they entered The Salvation Army Training College at 84 Davisville as members of the Greathearts Session in 1959. 

Together Cliff and Jean shared ministry in Oakville, St. James Winnipeg, and Parkdale Ottawa.  It was in Ottawa on December 6, 1968 that Cliff was Promoted to Glory following heart surgery.  During the following months and years Jean continued to serve faithfully.  She was appointed to the Training College in Toronto following Cliff’s passing.  From there she was appointed to the Commissioner’s Office where she began studies for C.A.P.E (Canadian Association of Pastoral Education) training. Following her C.A.P.E. training, Jean was stationed in St. John’s NL at the Grace Hospital as a chaplain and then on staff at the Training College in NL.  She always commented on how much she was blessed to have the appointments in Newfoundland and thoroughly enjoyed them.

She returned to Ontario as the Executive Director of Bethany Home in Ottawa and this appointment was followed by an appointed as Executive Director of the Broadview Village from which she retired in 1985.  However, she did not fully retire as she took up a position at the newly opened Scarborough Grace Hospital as Director of Volunteers for 5 years.

Jean was a godly woman of conviction, and lived with a strong faith and a strong work ethic.  One of her favourite saying was, “A job worth doing is worth doing well.”  Her children are grateful for her love, her prayer support and her continuous encouragement and her vibrant Christian witness.   

Left with a lasting legacy are Jean’s family, Majors Donna & Eric Bond, of Oshawa, Carol & Ed Fisher of Belleville, and Joy Groulx of Toronto.

She loved and was greatly loved by her eight grandchildren, Captains David and his wife Nyree of St. Thomas, Tim and his wife Leanne of Markham & Mark and his wife Karen of Markham; Amy and her husband Jason of Toronto, Samantha and her husband James of Toronto, and Joel and his wife, Morgan of Corbyville, Corey and his wife Mandy of Courtice & Erica and her husband Cole of Omaha Nebraska

Jean’s twelve great-grandchildren will miss their GG: Nathan, Brandon & Dawson Bond, Joshua and Rachel Bond, Rebecca and Zachary Bond, Moira Pedlar , Keira and Henry Fisher, Brooks & Nash Henderson.

The Family would like to express our deepest appreciation and love to Lt. Colonel Betty Barnum for her life long friendship and her compassionate care especially in these last years to our mom.