Diane Louise Williams

Diane Louise (Lind) Williams of Hastings, Michigan, passed away at the age of 80 on September 3, 2026.

If you knew Diane, you probably knew her as the “flower lady.” She had a genuine smile, an authentic personality, and a special way of making people feel welcome.

Born January 30, 1946, to Fern (Woods) and Willard Lind, Diane grew up in Nashville, Michigan, before moving to Hastings, where she spent most of her life. She married the love of her life, James “Jim” Williams, on May 31, 1962, and together they built a family and shared nearly six decades of memories.

Flowers were a major part of Diane’s life. She worked as a florist at numerous flower shops throughout her career, including managing the Floral Department at Felpausch Grocery Store in Hastings. She had a remarkable talent for making just about anything beautiful—an old pot, a rubber boot, or whatever else happened to catch her eye. One of her favorite ways to share her passion was judging floral arranging at the Barry County Fair.

Diane loved creating floral arrangements for holidays, special occasions, neighbors, family, and friends—and sometimes simply to brighten someone’s day. Caring for and watering her indoor and outdoor flowers could take hours, but that was her “happy place.” Her involvement with the Garden Club and the Garden Tour were special highlights for her.

Diane also had a generous heart and loved finding ways to give back to her community. She enjoyed being involved with the hospital guild and especially appreciated the opportunity to give back to the maternity ward. She volunteered at the hospital gift shop and delivered flowers to patients, combining two things she loved most, flowers and people.

She also enjoyed flea marketing and had a wonderful eye for turning trash into treasure. Diane brought that same creativity and flair to her own style. She was always put together from head to toe, with matching earrings, shoes, and wardrobe. She was never one to shy away from flamboyant prints or bold colors. Her favorite color was bright green. This color extended to her passion for frogs and watching her grandsons catch them from her koi pond.

Diane also loved camping with friends and family. Some of her favorite memories were made outdoors, enjoying the simple pleasures of being together, sharing stories, laughing, and making memories with the people she loved.

More than anything, Diane will be remembered for how much she cared about people. Her creativity, kindness, sense of style, generosity, and love of flowers brought beauty and happiness to many lives.

Diane is survived by her children, Jim (Debbie) Williams, Bryan (significant other, Michelle) Williams, and Mindy (Chad) Zimmerman; grandchildren Chase (Karley), Tyler (Cindy), Carson (Amanda), Dylan, Kylie, and Dominik; great-grandchildren Theo Williams and Taylor Williams; sister Darlene Harris-Wetters (fiancé, Richard Ewing); and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her grandson Derek Williams; her parents, Willard and Fern Lind; her husband, Jim Williams; and granddaughter Lindsey Williams.

Diane leaves behind a family who loved her, friends who will miss her, and a community that will remember the special touch she brought to flowers, gardens, and everyday life. The next time you come across a beautiful floral arrangement, a flea-market treasure brought back to life, or someone dressed in bold, bright colors, remember Diane. She would have loved it.

Friends and family wishing to honor her memory may make donations to the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan at 160 68th Street SW, Suite 110, Grand Rapids, MI 49548 or The EHE Foundation at 1561 Hopi Court, Hobart, WI 54313, both are organizations Diane held close to her heart.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S. Broadway Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, with visitation one hour prior at 10:00 a.m. Following the service, a Graveside Committal Service will be held at Hastings Township Cemetery. A luncheon and time of fellowship will follow at The Legacy at Hastings, located at 1550 N. Broadway Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058.

Funeral arrangements are being provided by Girrbach Funeral Home, Hastings, Michigan. To leave online condolences visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net.