Eileen Doerres Williford, 88, of Lillington, passed away on October 20, 2012 at Windsor Point Continuing Care Retirement Community.
She was born December 27, 1923 in Lone Tree, Iowa to the late William Frederick Doerrres and Charlotte Barrow Doerres.
She spent her childhood years in Lone Tree and graduated from Lone Tree High School in 1942. She was awarded a B.A. degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Iowa in 1946. While at the University, she was active in the Newman Club, the Scottish Highlander Marching Band, and Alpha Xi Delta Sorority. She was employed as a Speech Pathologist in the Austin, Minnesota public school system from 1946 to 1948. While she was a student at the University of Iowa she met John Kenneth Williford of Angier who was in post graduate medical training. They married in 1948 and moved to Lillington where he established a family medicine practice. She and her husband resided in Lillington for 60 years until they moved to the Windsor Point Retirement community in 2008.
She was active in Lillington from her days as a newlywed until her days as a senior citizen. In her early years she was supportive of her four children and devoted much time to their activities at Lillington School, in scouting and at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dunn. She was a member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Fuquay-Varina for many years. Later she was active in various organizations including the Harnett County Arts Council, the Wise Reader Book Club, and several senior citizens groups. Throughout the years she enjoyed national and international travels with her family. Eileen always devoted time to her interests and self-development. She was imaginative and creative and was an accomplished artist and writer. A lifelong reader, she was extremely grateful to the NC Library for the Blind for their support to satisfy her constant literary interests after she became visually impaired.
She is predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Dr. J. K. Williford. Survivors include her children, daughter Margaret Williford Murray and husband John of Durham; sons, John Williford and wife Becky of Charlotte, Joe Williford and wife Barbara of Raleigh, and Stephen Williford of Lillington; and six grandchildren. The family would especially like to thank Pam Denault of Fuquay-Varina who provided loving care and companionship during her residence at Windsor Point.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Bernadette Catholic Church on Friday October 26, at 2 p.m. A reception will follow the service in the Parish Hall.
In lieu of flowers memorials should be directed to the North Carolina Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, 1841 Capital Boulevard, Raleigh, North Carolina 27635 or St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 1005 Wilbon Road, Fuquay Varina, North Carolina 27526.
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