Ann Williams Haley

Ann Williams Haley, 88, passed away at home on October 5, 2021, with family. She was born November 2, 1932, in Greenfield, IN to George and Opal Williams.

The family moved to Independence, MO, and Ann graduated from Northeast High School in Kansas City, MO. Ann attended Baker University and joined Alpha Chi Omega. She married her high school sweetheart, Ernest P. Haley on June 6, 1953. In the Air force, Ernie was stationed in Illinois, Ann completed her degree at the University of Illinois in 1955. They moved to Lawrence, KS. While Ernie attended KU on the GI Bill, Ann taught elementary school in Tonganoxie and then Lawrence.

Though she was diagnosed with Lupus in 1962, she was an active supporter of her children participating in PTO, Aquahawks, and Scouts. Later as a homemaker who was motivated to encourage children to succeed, she returned to KU and earned her master’s degree in education in 1982. In her thesis, she took children with reading problems, taught them to swim and at the conclusion of her swimming program their reading skills improved.
She was active in the Garden Club, Ventura, Quilting Club, AXO alumnae, bridge groups, Trinity Episcopal Church, and later St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church.

Ann was happily married for 47 years before Ernie’s death in 2001. Ann was a generous, fun-loving, positive person and a friend to all. A woman of great faith and optimism, her unconditional love for her family and her universal kindness were her trademarks.

Ann is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sister, Sue Haner, and her brother-in-law Eugene Haley. Ann is survived by her daughter, Jan Haley Maxwell (Robert) and her three sons, Shawn Haley (Debbie), Peter Haley (Joanie), and Christopher Haley (Taryn). Ann has seven grandchildren George (Yuanting) Maxwell, Allison (Jake) Hibler, Nicholas Haley, Rachel Haley, Sarah (Matt) Tredway, Blake Haley and Cayden Haley. She has four great-grandchildren – Arya, Benjamin, Claire, and Clark. Her sister-in-law Betty Jo Haley survives, also. The family thanks the Midland Hospice staff for their loving care in the final weeks.

Visitation will occur on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, from 6:00 ~ 8:00 pm, at Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS, 66044. Funeral services will be held at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 5700 W 6th Street, Lawrence, KS 66049 on Wednesday, October 13, 2021, at 10:00 am. Burial services will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in the family plot in Webb City, MO.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Margaret’s Episcopal church or Omicron Alumnae Association of Alpha Chi Omega and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.