Inez Knecht Williams, born on Flag Day, June 14, 1944 in West Bend, IA, and called Inee by her family and friends, passed away peacefully on July 5th. Inez is preceded in death by her parents, Mary Ann and Harold Michael Knecht of Algona, IA, and her older sister Karla Thomas of Reston, VA. Inez is survived by her sister Sheryl (Russel) Baas of Yuma, AZ and her nieces and nephews, Kelly Hart (Oak Island, NC), Andrew Thomas (Annandale, VA), Laurie Thomas (David) (Arlington, VA). Justin Baas (Samantha) (Auburn, WA), Jonathan (Ashely) (Arlington, VA). Inez is also a Great Aunt to Charlotte (Michael), Liza, Andy, Caroline, Reagan, Lauren and Jude, and a Great, Great Aunt to Hudson. Inez was stepmother to Tracy Doucette (Tega Cay, SC) and step grandmother to Allison Doucette (Charlotte, NC).

After school, Inez joined Karla in Washington, DC in 1963. She worked at the Justice Department during Robert Kennedy’s term as Attorney General and loved the sights and excitement of life in Washington. After Justice, Inez joined Delta Airlines as a reservations agent before moving into sales. She worked in Washington, DC, New Orleans and finally as sales manager covering Richmond and Norfolk, VA. Inez resided in Arlington, VA for many years, before moving to Fairfax, VA in 2020.

Inez married Don Ralston in Falls Church, VA in 1971. After his tragic death in 1972, Inez returned from New Orleans to Virginia and worked in Washington, DC. Inez met her second husband John Williams on Capital Hill, and they married in 1982. Inez was widowed a second time with John’s death in 1999.

Inee’s large family in Iowa, many very dear cousins, and close friends (Barbie, Meg, Kathy, Liz and others) were important to her and gave her much love and support. Inez enjoyed traveling and entertaining, celebrating holidays, birthdays, and hosting Jonathan and Ashley’s wedding in her Arlington home. Her favorite, of course, was Flag Day!

Inee loved to laugh and was often the bell of the ball. We will always remember her with a cocktail, a smart remark, and a good laugh. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity, Inez's was St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.