Obituaries

Betty Mae Sullivan (née Williams) passed away at the age of 86 on July 4, 2026. Born in Renton, Washington, on April 29, 1940, she was the only child of Clarence and Marie Williams (née Allen).

After graduating from Renton High School, Betty attended the University of Washington, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English. Her professional life was marked by service and commitment: she taught middle school English before enlisting in the United States Army, serving as a captain in the Women’s Army Corps at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Later, she enjoyed a twenty-year career with the King County Department of Records and Elections and was a tireless volunteer for the League of Women Voters of Seattle-King County.

A gifted pianist, Betty was a lifelong patron of the arts, with a deep devotion to classical music, theater, opera, and ballet. She will be remembered fondly for her passion and her meaningful contributions to the local arts community.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Col. Joseph “Jay” Sullivan; her parents, Clarence, Marie, and Lee Williams (née Schuyler); her brother, Larry Michael Williams; and her brother-in-law, Gary Spoor. She is survived by her daughter, Kathleen Sullivan; her son-in-law, Stephen Todd Hamblin; her granddaughters, Maya Morales-Sullivan and Miranda Hamblin; her sister, Susan Spoor; her sister-in-law, Jan Williams; and her nephews and niece, Michael Spoor, Stephen Spoor, Michael Williams, Dean Williams, and Cezanne Williams, along with their families.

Arrangements for a virtual memorial service will be announced at a later date.