Shirley Dean Williams Flechtner

Shirley Dean Williams Flechtner was born on “Christmas in July,” July 25, 1926 in Chillicothe, Texas to Percy and Tera Williams. She grew up in Ennis, Midlothian, and Terrell.

After graduating from Terrell High School she moved by herself to Dallas at 16 years old, working at Neiman Marcus to save up for college. After Dallas, she moved to Alaska to work at the Elmendorf Air Force base. From there, she went to work at Los Alamos National Laboratory at the same time Oppenheimer was experimenting with the atomic bomb. She remembers working around him, his mannerisms, and his quirks.

She attended Austin College and then worked for General Motors in Longview. It was there that she met Jack Flechtner, whom she would marry a year later. They enjoyed jitter bugging and all forms of dancing while they were dating. They began their married life in Tulsa, later moving to Los Angeles, California. They gave birth to their first beloved daughter, Karen, in California. Shortly after, they moved back to Texas to be close to family and settled in Arlington, where they have lived since 1953. They gave birth to their second beloved daughter, Cathy, in Arlington.

In Arlington, Shirley was employed at Bell Helicopter and First Baptist Church. She loved being part of the Arlington Women’s Club and was a member of St. Peter St. Paul Anglican Church.

She was an adventurer, always ready for the next activity or trip. She lived life to the fullest and found deep joy in each and every day. She was always grateful and never complained. Shirley’s greatest joys in life were her grandchildren, her family, playing bridge, laughter, games, good food, and most importantly, her relationship with Jesus. She had a heart for the poor and the downtrodden, often visiting people in nursing homes who had few visitors. She brought joy everywhere she went.

Shirley was not sick until the last day of her life. She passed peacefully as family members prayed and read Scripture over her. While she will be deeply missed, her friends and family rejoice that she is with Jesus, rejoicing forever.

She is preceded in death by daughter, Cathy; sister, Norma Herron; and brother, Percy Williams, Jr.

She leaves behind husband, Jack; daughter, Karen Hargrave (Verne); grandson, Blake Hargrave (Michele); granddaughter, Katie Hargrave; and great-grandson, Tyler Hargrave. She also leaves behind sisters-in-law, Dee Allen and Joy Williams; nieces, Ann Corley, Rhonda Wood and Cindy Manning; nephews, Donny Herron and Tommy Herron; and beloved cousin, Pat Palmer.