Ruth E. Williams, 79, of Newcastle, died February 14, 2014 at LincolnHealth’s Miles Campus in Damariscotta.

She was born April 19, 1934 in Newcastle, a daughter of the late Charles and Stella (Thompson) Reay.

Ruth enjoyed NASCAR and was a big fan of Jeff Gordon. She started going to Wiscassset Speedway back when it first opened, and liked watching Stan Merserve in the #1 car. She enjoyed family trips to Rangeley and Moosehead sitting on the front porches watching boats and water skiers. She always looked forward to Geraldine coming over a couple times a day to sit on the front porch and watch the traffic, and going for a Sunday ride and getting an ice cream. She loved cookouts and family gatherings, working in the flower gardens and watching the squirrels and birds from her deck.

Over the years, she worked at The Boatel Restaurant in Boothbay Harbor at a very early age, Miles Memorial Hospital and at Great Salt Bay School, where she retired in 1999.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Ralph Williams Sr.;  grandchildren, Adam and Jesse Williams; sister, Carolyn (Tammy) Waltz; and brother, Albert Reay.

Ruth is survived by four children, Ralph Williams of Newcastle; Jim Williams of Newcastle, Julie Williams of Boothbay Harbor, and Lisa Dinsmore and her husband Shawn of Newcastle; three grandchildren, Katheryn Williams of Newcastle, Chris Tabb and wife Emily of Colorado, and Tyler Dinsmore of Newcastle; great-grandchild, Calvin Tabb of Colorado; two sisters, Geraldine Dickinson of Stoneham, Mass., and Sandra Dinsmore and her husband Robert of Newcastle; two brothers, Walter Reay and his wife Kathy of Windsor and Charles Reay and his wife Pauline of Fort Myers, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews.

She will be remembered as a wonderful, caring and devoted mother and grandmother that adored her family. She was a best friend to her sisters. She was a simple lady and very family oriented. As long as she was with her family, she was happy.

Relatives and friends are invited to join the family for a time of visitation, 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main Street, Damariscotta. Springtime interment will be in the Sheepscot Cemetery. Condolences for the family may be sent to Lisa Dinsmore, 146 Ridge Road, Newcastle, ME 04553 or messages may be expressed by visiting www.stronghancock.com.