Williams was born in
Kingston, Pennsylvania, in 1919. She became interested in flying after witnessing a
barnstorming pilot perform a stunt in 1939. Williams earned her pilot's license in June 1941 from the
Civilian Pilot Training Program. After the United States entered
World War II, she was unable to fly and went on to be a
flight attendant with the
Canadian Colonial Airlines. She worked as a motion picture coordinator for the
Lockheed California Company between 1954 and 1974. In 1966, Williams was honored by the California Federation of Business and Professional Women for her work writing, producing and directing both industrial and military films. Williams continued to serve in the military for 28 years, attaining the rank of
Lieutenant Colonel by the time she retired in 1979. In 2006, Williams was inducted into the
Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame. Williams died on December 8, 2008, from complications related to a stroke at the
Providence Tarzana Medical Center. == References ==