Lila P. Williams Knecht, age 91 of Alma, passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2025 at Centralia Manor in Centralia, Illinois.

Lila was born on July 12, 1933 in Foster Township, in Marion County, Illinois, the daughter of Clyde and Freda (Lenhart) Garrett. She married Robert L. Williams in June of 1951 in Alma, Illinois and he preceded her in death. She later married Stanley Keith Knecht on May 12, 2005 in Carterville, Illinois and he also would precede her in death.

Survivors include her children, Tila Ann Jones and husband Kenneth of Alma, and William Garrett Williams and wife Lila of Alma; grandchildren, Heather Meng, Emily McGuire, Stella Johnson, Anna Shuler, and Andrew Williams; great grandchildren, Ada Meng, Hailey Shuler, Abi Shuler, Brailey Shuler, Gabe Johnson, Bennett Johnson, and Emilia Johnson; a sister, Carolyn Shanafelt and husband Larry of Kinmundy; and a brother in-law, James White of Carterville, Illinois; along with several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her two husbands, a sister, Barbara White, and a granddaughter, Laura Elizabeth Williams.

For thirty years Lila supervised the parts and bookkeeping department at Williams Farm Equipment in Alma, Illinois. In 1989 she became the business owner and one of the few lady dealer principals in North America and operated the business for three years before becoming the principal in Williams Outdoor Power Equipment in Centralia.

She was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Augsburg, Illinois. She loved to work in her yard and plant flowers.

Celebration of Life services for Lila P. Williams Knecht will be held on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Crouse Funeral Home in Salem. Burial will follow at the Alma Cemetery in Alma. There will be a time to visit with the family at the funeral home from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Memorial contributions can be made to the Kinmundy Alma Food Pantry or the Kinmundy Alma Fire Department and will be received at the funeral home. Online condolences and memories can be left at www.CrouseFH.com.