Malia Elissabeth Williams

Malia was born in Oakland, California and grew up in the San Francisco bay area with her family settling in San Jose, California in the early 1960’s. She had a wonderful childhood growing up under the care and support offered by a large extended family who, in those days, were always nearby. Malia attended and graduated from Broken Arrow High School in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma in 1979. Malia was a cancer survivor enduring treatment and recovering after a three-year battle at the age of 18. Despite the adversity she experienced in life, she continued to move on. She met and wed Ben Williams, a marriage that would last 36 years. She would later return to school and earn a degree in nursing. She enjoyed many careers, a nurse, a mother, and wife. Of all these roles, she enjoyed the role of wife and mother best of all. Malia loved Jesus, her family, and her pets. She enjoyed singing and music, was an avid collector, a wonderful mother and aunt and a friend to all. She was a Christian who never hesitated to profess her faith in Christ to anyone who would share a conversation with her. Her loving generous and compassionate manner will be missed by all. Malia was preceded in death by her father and mother Otto and Lani Riley of San Jose, CA. She is survived by her loving husband of 36 years Ben, and devoted children Cody and Braden of Knoxville, TN. She is also survived by her brothers and sisters Tom and Jackie Riley of Richmond, KY, Stephen and Michelle Riley of San Jose, CA, and Larry and Darlene Riley of San Jose, CA. A celebration of Malia’s life will be held at 4:00pm on Saturday February 17, 2018 at the Hardin Valley Church of Christ, 11515 Hardin Valley Road., Knoxville, TN 37932. Attire is casual.