On Friday morning, March 5, 2021, at 2:00 a.m., Ardelia Lee (Smith) Williams died peacefully at age 96 in her Marion home. Ardelia passed 17 days after her husband, Wilbur Glenn Williams (age 91), and after celebrating their 69th wedding anniversary.
Ardelia was born in Noblesville, Indiana, on December 17, 1924, and met her husband, Wilbur, at Indiana Wesleyan University (formerly Marion College). They graduated, married, started a family, and moved from Indiana to England, back to Indiana, and then to New Jersey while she taught art and blessed many. In 1967, Ardelia returned as a full-time professor and coordinator for the Art Department at Indiana Wesleyan University. She started a department with one student and built it to over 100 when she retired in 2002.
Ardelia’s passion for art and worship inspired the construction of the Beard Arts Center on the University’s campus. Ardelia and Wilbur have left their fingerprints all over the Indiana Wesleyan University campus. Ardelia hand-crafted numerous stained-glass windows that she and Wilbur planned in collaboration. Their contributions of salaries and time provided scholarships for students and the construction of the Prayer Chapel.
Surviving Ardelia are her three daughters: Ranada Grossman, Lasana Ritchie, and Malana Harpst; her brother: Elim Smith and his family; seven grandchildren: Landon Ritchie, Sterling Harpst, Hailey Harpst, Corban Ritchie, Lauren Harpst, Keanon Ritchie, and Khesed Ritchie; and two great-granddaughters: Hadley Harpst and Hayden Harpst.
A double memorial service for Ardelia and her husband, Wilbur, will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, May 3, 2021, at College Wesleyan Church, 200 E. 38th St., Marion, IN. Pastor Steve DeNeff will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made payable to Indiana Wesleyan University, referencing Wilbur and Ardelia Williams Memorial in the memo line.
Arrangements are entrusted to Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN 46952.
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