Barbara E Williams

Barbara "Barbie" E. Williams (Nichols), 61, of Binghamton, NY peacefully departed her
earthly vessel in the early morning hours of Tuesday, November 5th 2024, after a long,
courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis, to attend a highly anticipated date in the
ultimate paradise with her best friend and love of her life of 48 years, Craig, whom she
longed to be reunited with since losing him some six months prior.
Barbie was born on January 31st 1963 in Binghamton, NY to Joseph Henry Nichols and
Elaine Bernadette Griffin, she attended elementary, middle, and high school in Windsor,
NY, and was the youngest of six siblings.

About as soon as she could walk, Barbie found a love for exploring (and maybe even getting
into a bit of trouble here and there), growing up in a house on Colesville Road in
Binghamton, across from Don's Auto Parts, which ended up being one of her favorite
places to explore in her early years, along with a creek, and an infamous hangout spot
known as "The Swing", which were both located on the mountain behind her home. It was
in the neighborhood that she grew up in that a young Barbie met a young Renee Matthews,
whom would turn out to be her lifelong best friend.

Often times compared to the likes of a Disney princess for her uncanny ability to connect
with nature of all sorts, Barbie had a natural affinity for wildlife and animals, and not only
did she have an incredible gift for connecting with nature, wildlife, and any animal that she
encountered, but also for caring for and nursing sick and injured animals back to health;
one of the many animals that she'd rehabilitated throughout her life being an injured crow
that she rescued when she was young and  affectionately named Lucky, whom was said to
return and visit her year after year, even after being released back into the wild.
On July 4th of 1976, Barbie went on a blind date to watch a firework show at Nathaniel Cole
Park in Harpursville, her date was a man by the name of Craig Williams, and from that
moment on the two of them became inseparable and would eventually marry on January
18th 1980.

Barbie and Craig went on to build an extraordinary life together, from having three beautiful
children, four grandchildren, and one great grandchild, to designing and building their own
home, in which many wonderful memories were made over the years, including many
unforgettable gatherings around the bonfire with family and friends. Barbie’s family and
friends meant the world to her, and she’d go to the ends of the earth for the ones that she
loved.

Not only was Barbie an incredibly selfless, loyal, intelligent, intellectual, and passionate
person, but an undoubtedly talented and creative one as well; a beautiful melodic voice
with which she sang all of her favorite songs, and an eclectic artistic ability and talent that
included drawing, painting, building, cooking, baking, writing, and so, so much more. She
also had an appreciation for and enjoyed many different genres of music, which she
graciously passed down to her children (thanks for the great taste in music, mama).
Although Barbie was no stranger to the rain, having faced many set-backs and obstacles
on the path of her life, she handled each of these adversities with grace and resilience, a
strength that was nothing short of admirable to all of us who were fortunate enough to
know and love her.

An incredible woman, daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandma, and friend, the lives of all
those that knew and loved Barbie will be a bit dimmer now without her light, however, the
sky will shine a bit brighter now that she’s amongst the stars.
Barbie is predeceased by her beloved husband R. Craig Williams, father Joseph H. Nichols,
mother Elaine B. Nichols (Griffin), mother in law Beverly Dawn Williams (Beagell); oldest
sister Nancy Howden (Nichols); her treasured Arabian horse, Shamar’s Runner; and many
more friends, loved ones, and beloved pets.

Barbie is survived by her eldest son Joshua and daughter in law Melissa (Stanton), four
grandchildren and one great grandchild, Elijah and his son Liam, Austin, Zackary, and
Aubrey; her second born son Adam, her daughter Shelby and son in law Seth (Howell); 4
siblings, two sister in laws and two brother in laws; Don and Sheila Nichols, Mary Jane and
Rick Adams, Joan and Jim Bruster, Bill and Sandy Nichols; father in law; Ronald and Judith
Williams; her lifelong best friend and her husband, Renee (Matthews) and John Gordon; as
well as many other in laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and her beloved cat, Ripley.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 19th at DeMunn Funeral Home located at
36 Conklin Avenue, Binghamton, NY
Viewing hours 10a-12p, with services starting at 12pm.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Mercy House of Endicott, or to
your local animal shelter, in honor of Barbie's memory.

"And when you're feeling empty, keep me in your memory, leave out all the rest, leave out
all the rest."