Sicily Sterling Williams' Obituary
Born in Longview, Texas on July 14, 1937, transitioned in peace on March 5, 2018. Sicily although born in East Texas, was raised in Dallas, Texas. She attended Highland Park High School and received her college degree in Business from her beloved Southern Methodist University where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi. There has never been a more vocal fan or committed supporter of the SMU Mustangs than our mother and grandmother. For the greatest portion of her life, she had front row season tickets to all football games and many other university events. She often times said it was sad people had to attend Ivy League schools when they didn’t get accepted to SMU, but such is life. And what a life she had. After graduation from university Sicily embarked on a successful business career that included working with Stanley Marcus as one of his top buyers for Neiman-Marcus. From that platform she launched several fashion, jewelry and design businesses all of which were successful and fulfilling. It was during this time that she found wine…and it found her! She travelled the globe in search of the finest fruit and vineyards selecting wines for her family, friends and the membership at Lakeside Country Club. As a club member she served for many years on the Wine Committee charged with selecting and maintaining the club’s wine selection for the general club membership. In addition to her love of all things wine, Sicily was a world traveler spending much time in Italy, France, Germany, England, Europe and Russia by both land and sea. When not in Napa, Oregon, Washington state or Colorado, she spent many a wonderful day with her valued friends playing mahjong and solving the national and world problems of the day. She as well treasured special times with friends and family at her vacation home in Colorado and at fine restaurants the world over. In terms of her family, everyone that knows Sicily knows about her Aunt Amelia better known as Aunt Mimi, a family matriarch and role model she held in very high regard. She could go on for hours regaling you with stories about her Aunt Mimi, Rockwall Farm and the storied history of her family and it’s many interesting characters. As a mother and grandmother she was unmatched. She had one daughter also named Sicily whom she adored and admired as her very best friend. As for her grandsons, no grandmother ever had more pride and love for her Christopher, Kenny and Nicholas. They truly were the apple of her eye and their many successes filled her with happiness and their times together with love. Always gentle, kind and sensitive to others, Sicily was a true Southern Woman with much sophistication and grace. Never an ill word crossed her lips as she was always attuned to sensing the problems of others and offered instead compassion and hope for a brighter day. Although Sicily has somehow smoothly played her last hand and slipped to a better place, she leaves behind her loving daughter Sicily King, her grandsons, Christopher Iconos, Kenny Iconos and Nicholas Iconos and her son-in-law, Dan King. She is predeceased by her father, Guy Sterling, her mother Sicily Sparkman Sterling and her husband, Charles L. “Rusty” Williams. With sincere appreciation, Sicily and her family would like to personally thank Benny Hernandez for her long, faithful and loving support as her personal assistant for almost 24 years. Sicily will be interred in Longview at Grace Hill Cemetery In lieu of flowers, she suggests donations to the Texas Heart Institute or the charity of your choice.
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