Erma Ruth Willingham (née Acheson) passed away after a brief illness on January 26, 2018 at the age of 89 in Waterloo, Ontario.
The daughter of Bert and Bertie Acheson, she was born in Palco, Kansas and spent her youth in Emmett, Idaho where she met Ted Willingham, her beloved husband of 68 years. She graduated from Northwest Nazarene College, was ordained to the ministry, and together with Ted pastored churches in California and Idaho. In 1963 they moved to Ontario where they pastored Wesleyan churches in Lion's Head and Toronto and later in Shawville, Quebec. They lived in Palmerston, Ontario from 1985-2010, where Ruth served many years as an assistant at the Evangelical Missionary Church. She lived for the last 7 years in Waterloo.
Wherever she lived, she enjoyed doing God's work, preaching, directing children's programs, leading Bible studies, and visiting people who were grieving or ill. As her sight diminished, she continued being present to many people through her joyful phone calls. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, always serving and putting others first. Though serious minded, she was light in her step, and treasured reminiscing and laughing with family and friends. And to the very end, she was an eager learner.
Ruth is survived by her husband, Ted; her children, Lee (Eva), Steven (Kathy), and Laurel (Gary); and her grandchildren, Geoffrey (Paola), Amanda, Jessica (Stephen), Julia, Jonathan, Alan (Olayinka), Brian, Leah, and Nora.
The daughter of Bert and Bertie Acheson, she was born in Palco, Kansas and spent her youth in Emmett, Idaho where she met Ted Willingham, her beloved husband of 68 years. She graduated from Northwest Nazarene College, was ordained to the ministry, and together with Ted pastored churches in California and Idaho. In 1963 they moved to Ontario where they pastored Wesleyan churches in Lion's Head and Toronto and later in Shawville, Quebec. They lived in Palmerston, Ontario from 1985-2010, where Ruth served many years as an assistant at the Evangelical Missionary Church. She lived for the last 7 years in Waterloo.
Wherever she lived, she enjoyed doing God's work, preaching, directing children's programs, leading Bible studies, and visiting people who were grieving or ill. As her sight diminished, she continued being present to many people through her joyful phone calls. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, always serving and putting others first. Though serious minded, she was light in her step, and treasured reminiscing and laughing with family and friends. And to the very end, she was an eager learner.
Ruth is survived by her husband, Ted; her children, Lee (Eva), Steven (Kathy), and Laurel (Gary); and her grandchildren, Geoffrey (Paola), Amanda, Jessica (Stephen), Julia, Jonathan, Alan (Olayinka), Brian, Leah, and Nora.
A service celebrating Ruth's life will be held on Saturday, February 17 at 11am at First United Church, 16 William St. W., Waterloo, Ontario. The family suggests that donations in her memory be made to World Hope Canada or the Mennonite Central Committee .
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