Florence "Van" Williams, 94, died Saturday June, 14 2014 at Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach, FL. Florence was the daughter of the late John H. and Carrie (Humbert) Van Cleve and was the loving wife of Dr. Wallace Reid Williams.

Florence was born October 18, 1919 in Osceola Co., Iowa, moving first to Minnesota, and then to the Lancaster, PA area early in her life; graduating from West Lampeter High School in 1937. She moved to Vero Beach, Florida from Germantown, Maryland with her husband in August 1989.

Entering the service in 1943 as a registered nurse, Florence became a registered nurse anesthetist for the U.S. Army during World War II as a 1st Lieutenant, serving in the Pacific theater in Hawaii, and teaching in the nurse anesthetist program at Walter Reed Hospital. After leaving the army in 1946, Florence worked at Old Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia; Physicians and Surgeons Hospital in Portland, Oregon; and Herrick Hospital in Berkley, California, before retiring in 1960 to care for a growing family.

In addition to her husband, Florence is survived by three children: Wallace Richard Williams of Baltimore, Maryland; Denise Moore of McCall, Idaho; Donna Williams of Lexington, Virginia; as well as a son-in-law, Robert Smith of Lexington, Virginia. She is also survived by her much loved sisters, Esther Ford of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Alice Little of Loma Linda, California; and many nieces and nephews.

Known to friends and family as "Van", Florence will be remembered for her easy laugh, love of friends, and her passion for painting. A longtime member of Vero Beach Art Club, her paintings were loved for the way they captured the memory of a place you've been and the feelings you had while there. Her family portraits were especially cherished.

A family viewing was held at an earlier date at Strunk Funeral Home in Vero Beach. Florence will be laid to rest with her family at Boehm's United Methodist Cemetery, Willow Street, Pa.