Funeral service for Mrs. Ilse Irma Williams, 90 of Killeen, TX will be held Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 11:00 a.m. at Greater Vision Community Church in Killeen, TX. Burial will follow the service at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, TX.

Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service (9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.) at the church.

Mrs. Williams passed away August 17, 2026, in Killeen, TX. She was born September 2, 1935, in Weinheim, Germany.

Ilse Irma Williams was born in Weinheim, West Germany during World War II, to Hans and Frieda (Kaiser) Schmitt on September 2, 1935. She died on August 17, 2026 in her home, surrounded by her family.

She was one of four children. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hans Schmitt and Frieda (Kaiser) Schmitt, her sister Hilda Schmitt, and her great-grandson Robert A. Polk, Jr. She is survived by one sister Friedel Erica (Schmitt) Johann, and two brothers, Hans Schmitt and Eduard Kaiser.

Mrs. Williams attended school and completed her education in Germany. She was baptized as a protestant and received her first Bible verse, which was the 23rd Psalms, “The Lord is my Shepherd.”

As a young woman, she worked as a seamstress for a clothing manufacturer, she was very proficient at her craft and continued to sew throughout her life as a hobby. She often sewed clothes for herself and her children, especially for the holidays and special occasions. She later met Travis, after being introduced by a mutual friend at a birthday party. They quickly fell in love and were married in June 1961. Shortly thereafter, Travis received orders to return to the United States. They were stationed in Utah, where they settled into Army housing and she began studying American Government to earn her U.S. Citizenship. The next several years were filled with challenges moving from Utah to Fort Lewis, Washington; back to Germany, and finally to Fort Devens, Massachusetts. She received her GED and her U.S. Citizenship in Boston, Massachusetts in 1967.

When Travis received orders to return to Vietnam a second time in 1968, Ilse returned to Germany with her daughters. She taught all three daughters to speak, read, and write German and they adapted to life there quickly. After Travis returned from Vietnam in 1970, he received orders for Heidelberg, Germany. They lived in Germany for many years before eventually returning to the United States. Throughout his career advancements and deployments, Ilse remained supportive of her husband. When Travis retired from the Army in 1986, the family settled outside Ft. Hood in Killeen, Texas.

Mrs. Williams was a devoted mother to three (3) daughters: Rosita T. Dockery (husband Archie deceased), Angela R. Parkhill (husband Craig), and Regina C. Khim (husband Mychael); grandmother to four (4) grandchildren, two (2) step grandchildren, eight (8) great-grandchildren, four (4) step great-grandchildren and six (5) great-great grandchildren. She was the matriarch of her family, and the glue that kept them all together. She was the most loving mother to all her children, and to many others who affectionately called her “mom.” She was a wonderful homemaker, and all her children looked forward to spending time with her and enjoying her wonderful cooking and baking. She was known in her family as a teacher of the goodness of God, morals and values, and all the things that make for a happy and meaningful life.

Mr. and Mrs. Williams belonged to Greater Vision Community Church since the founding of the church in 1997, during which time they were active in a variety of ministries and administrative activities.