Marilyn J. Williams

Marilyn J. Williams, 92, of Bettendorf passed away Monday, December 29, 2025 at Bettendorf Health Care Center.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 14th at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be at Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery.

Marilyn was born November 19, 1933 to Elmer and Ruth (Denger) Hildebrand. In her teens, she enjoyed working at the Round Up Drive-In in Bettendorf, where she cleaned up after patrons, often being rewarded with coins she found in the parking lot. In her later teens, she worked at Bettendorf City Hall and then for G.E. Electric. One of her fondest memories was when Ronald Reagan made a visit to G.E. Electric. In 1955, she married Russell Ellis in Nashua, Iowa. She later married Morris “Mort” Williams in 2003 in Rock Island, Illinois. Marilyn served as a secretary for the Bettendorf School District for 27 years prior to her retirement in 1995.

Marilyn was known for her picturesque home. Not only did she keep the interior immaculate, as if it came out of a magazine, but her yard was blooming with beautiful flowers. She embraced nature, whether she was feeding the squirrels (one would even eat out of her hand!), making sure her multiple bird feeders were stocked with food, or protecting the occasional duck egg laid in her flower garden. Marilyn had an appreciation for all things Amish. She collected quilts, Amish artwork and dolls of all kinds. She had a heart of gold and will be truly missed by her family and friends.

She is survived by her son, Michael Ellis of Texas; sister, Shirley Schwerdtfeger of Bettendorf; step-children, Wade (Nadine) Williams, Jane (Daniel) Mason and Russell Ellis Jr.; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husbands, Russell and Mort; brothers, Duane and Gerald Hildebrand; and step-children, Mary Schneckloth and Lola Baldwin.