Patsy J Williams

Patsy Jeanne Williams (nee Barteck), aged 84, passed away peacefully in her home in Colorado Springs, CO on Saturday, December 21, 2024, following a battle with cancer that started this past October. She was born on May 13, 1940, in Milwaukee, WI to Marvin and Harriet Barteck. Patsy was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Kenneth E. Williams, brother Daniel Barteck and sister Judith Barteck. She is survived by her daughters, Laurel Lockwood Chapman (Mark) of Leawood, KS, and Lynnette Lockwood Gallegos (Rick) of Parker, CO, her twin sister, Nancy Barteck Christian (Richard) of Menomonee Falls, WI, as well as her five grandchildren – Thad Gallegos (Abby) of Dallas, TX, Rhegan Gallegos Quintana (Alex) of Parker, CO, Cole Chapman of Oklahoma City, OK, Rylee Gallegos Tew (Chase) of Austin, TX and Claire Chapman of Kansas City, MO. She was thrilled to know that Thad and Abby are expecting her first great-grandchild, anticipated to arrive in May 2025.

Patsy grew up in Milwaukee and was an accomplished pianist, winning the Milwaukee Talent-Teen Competition in 1958. She was a youth ambassador for her local Evangelical United Brethren church and traveled around Wisconsin to other church youth groups as a missionary witnessing to Christ. Patsy graduated from North Central College in Naperville, IL in 1962 and married her college sweetheart, Phillip Lockwood. They lived in Okinawa for four years and traveled to Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Philippines. They divorced in 1971, their marriage a casualty of the Vietnam war. Her life changed forever when she met and fell in love with Kenneth E. Williams at a Parents Without Partners meeting in Bellevue, NE. They married on November 4, 1972. She often said he was the love of her life, and they enjoyed more than 50 wonderful years together before Ken passed away in July 2023.

Patsy was a career woman, working for the Air Force Civil Service for 36 years. She worked in NORAD for 11 years and a highlight during that time was meeting President Ronald Reagan while he was visiting there. She also served as a Branch Chief in Intelligence at Air Force Space Command, retiring as a GS 13 in 2005.

Anyone who knew Patsy, knew that she was deeply involved with her church, Central United Methodist, where she was a member since moving to the Springs in 1975. She considered her spiritual gift to be leadership. She served as the Chair for Council on Ministries for 20 years, was a member of the choir from 1976-2022, served on the District Council on Ministries for several years, and was a delegate to the United Methodist Annual Conference for 12 years. She also chaired the Administrative Board for several years as well as the “Rethink” team from 2008-22. She served the community through her church with 20+ years coordinating the Interfaith Hospitality Network (now known as Family Promise) and organizing block parties for the neighborhood surrounding the church for five years.

She enjoyed attending the symphony, concerts, theatre and traveling. She often said her “golden years” were her favorite as she and Ken traveled several times a year across the United States as well as internationally from 2005 to 2020, making a total of 86 trips and collecting wonderful memories. Some of her fondest memories were the trips with her

closest church friends. She was a member of the Red Hat Ladies, Curiosity Unlimited (with Ken), and Pikes Peak Neighbors (serving as President for 3 years, VP of Programs for 4 years and VP of Facilities for 1 year). She and Ken moved to Aspen Trail Retirement Resort in January 2021 and enjoyed all the friends that they made there. She immediately got involved in activities like the fitness classes, philosophy class, and was an avid Bingo player. She almost never wore her nametag at Aspen Trail, stating that everyone already knew her, so she didn’t need to! Patsy loved to travel to visit her grandchildren and was at each of their birthdays over the years and attended many of their activities as well.

A celebration of life is planned at Central United Methodist Church, 4373 Galley Rd, Colorado Springs, CO on Friday, January 10th with a visitation at 9:30am followed by services at 10:30am. There will be a light lunch served by the church following the service. Donations in Patsy’s memory may be made to Central United Methodist Church, 4373 Galley Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80915.