Phoebe Williams' Obituary
Phoebe Diahann Butler was born on April 12, 1951 in Oakland, California to the union of Hazel Lilivan Butler and James Arthur Butler Sr. She was the 2nd oldest of seven children and affirmed her belief in God at an early age.Phoebe was educated in the Oakland Public School District, graduating from Castlemont High School, Oakland, California in 1969. She was accepted at the University of San Francisco (USF) while in high school and attended USF, later graduating with a Bachelors of Science degree in Nursing. While in college, Phoebe worked as a sales clerk at Macy’s, S.F. as well as at her late aunt Trusie Jackson’s restaurant, Original Barbeque in downtown Oakland, CA.After graduating, she worked as a registered nurse at the Veteran’s Administration (V.A.) Hospital, Fort Miley, S.F., and Oak Knoll Naval Hospital, Oakland, CA. She has spent the remaining 32 years of her nursing career at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, Oakland, CA. Phoebe loved the hospital challenges and sought to work in the Emergency Room, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) because she loved taking care of critically-ill children. She also served as a REACH Mediplane nurse transporting patients to the hospital. Later in her career Phoebe became an Operating Room Nurse and eventually she became the Dental Resource Nurse in charge of dental surgery services. She also proudly wore her work badge/I.D. most places, I believe she was displaying it as a badge of honor.Her oldest sister Valerie introduced Phoebe to the love of her life, James “Buddy” Williams, at a Chico State University dorm party. Phoebe and James dated all through college and were later married in Reno, Nevada on September 1, 1973. They have been inseparable ever since and recently celebrated 44 years of marriage. To this union they were blessed with five wonderful children, James Edward Jr., Africa Cicely, James Edward III, Eldridge Arthur, and Jamal Matthew. Phoebe and her family joined the Allen Temple Church family in the early 1980’s. She was a proud and selfless sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, sister-in-law and friend…she was always there to offer comforting words, shelter and would have given the clothes off her back if needed. She was always so caring that when anyone would get sick or needed assistance, she was one of the first to lend a helping hand. She studied astrology earlier in life and believed that most peoples birthdate coincided with their astrological sign and would often approach friends and complete strangers to tell them about themselves (astrologically).In 1993, she found a way to combine her love of travel with her passion for helping others. Phoebe, along with a team of doctors and nurses, traveled to Russia in an effort to offer their pediatric intensive care recovery expertise.She had many interests and hobbies. She had a passion for art and was a source of artistic inspiration. She dreamed of one day opening her own art gallery to teach young children the importance of art. She especially enjoyed going shopping to find all sorts of collectibles, namely eclectic antiques, jewelry and clothing. From Hermes handbags to finding one of Marilyn Monroe’s authentic coats, Phoebe never passed on an opportunity to locate a hidden treasure.Phoebe was preceded in death by her son, James Edward Jr., her father, James Arthur Butler Sr., her brother, James Arthur Butler Jr., her mother-in-law Dorothy Mae Ridge, father-in-law, Eldridge Williams and nephew, Edward Davis.Phoebe leaves to cherish her memory: her loving husband, James Edward Williams Sr. of Union City, CA, her daughter, Africa Williams-Muhammed husband (Muhammed) of Union City, CA, her son, James Edward (III) wife (Allison) of Santa Cruz, CA; her son Eldridge Arthur Williams (Ashley) of Union City, CA, Jamal Matthew Williams wife (Mina) of Union City, CA; seven (7) Grand-children, Nyamekye J “Nyk” Williams of Oakland, CA; Rahman J. Adem of Oakland, CA; Lily Anne Williams, Santa Cruz, CA; Eldridge Williams Jr., Union City, CA, Israel Williams, Union City, CA, Alonzo Williams of Union City, CA, Sehaylah Muhammed, Union City, CA; her mother, Hazel Butler of Oakland, CA; her four (4) sisters, Valerie Hamilton (Anthony) of Oakland, CA; Darolyn Butler-Young (Glenn) of Antioch, CA, Karen Butler-Robinson (Kindu) of Oakland, CA; Angela Butler-McDonald (Sim) of Danville, CA; her brother, Malcolm “Ricky” Butler (Lula); her sister-in-law Yvonne Ridge of Oakland, CA; her brother-in-law Larry Ridge of Oakland, CA. and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
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