Diane Wray Williams

Diane Wray Williams passed away peacefully in her Moorhead, Minnesota home, surrounded by loved ones, Thursday morning, July 31, 2025 at the age of 87, after an eight month battle with cancer.

Diane was born on January 23, 1938 in Fremont, Ohio to Caroline Ruth Woodward and Daniel Herschel Charles. When Diane was 3 years old her father, Dan, passed. Her mother, Caroline, remarried later to James Lowell Harris and they had two more children. When Diane was in highschool, the Harris family fostered two more young women, Carla Brooks Johnston and Ellie McGowan.

Diane was a businesswoman, educator, and politician. She graduated from Syracuse University, in 1959, with a bachelor’s degree in English. She married James Glendenning Wray IV in 1959. They had three daughters living in San Diego, California, Syracuse, New York, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and landing in Moorhead, Minnesota in 1969. Diane was involved in the community through organizations like the First Presbyterian Church of Moorhead, the Fargo Moorhead Community Theater, and Camp Fire Girls. Jim and Diane divorced, after which Diane met and married Thomas Williams in 1980. Diane and her girls, together with Tom and his three daughters, created a new blended family. Before her marriage with Tom, Diane sought employment outside the home. She started the Growing Tree Preschool, worked for Camp Fire (including several memorable years as Outdoor Programs Director and Camp Director at Camps Shawondasee and Trowbridge), the Youth Board for Moorhead Parks and Recreation, and Clay County Residence Incorporated. In 1988 and 1989, Diane served in the Minnesota House of Representatives as the first woman representative from the City of Moorhead. She also served on the Moorhead City Council in 2004 for many years. She loved to serve and problem solve!

Diane was a light in the community. She was a very active volunteer in many different organizations including the Heritage-Hjelmkomst Center, the Democratic Party, the Presbyterian Church, the Moorhead Planning Commission, Lake Agassiz Camp Fire, the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center, and the Jazz Arts Group. She was recognized many times for her service including YWCA Woman of the Year (1986), MEA Outstanding Layperson in Education (1986), MN “Marvelous Minnesota Woman” Award (1988), ARRM Legislative Effort Award (1990), and Senior of the Year (2022).

Diane was a lover of music, theater, church, family, pets, and her garden. She was an idea person. She loved to get involved and help achieve whatever goal was needed at the time. She worked tirelessly for justice and equality. She was always willing to help another in need. There were many times that extra people were lovingly included in her family celebrations. She made everyone welcome. Her love for friends and family was boundless. She will be greatly missed.

Diane is survived by her sister, Mary Suzanne Bonne’ (Thomas), niece, Tina Hubbard, brother, James Lowell Messenger-Harris (Beverly) niece, Emily Chase, nephew, Zachary Messenger-Harris, daughters Caroline Fuentes (Andres), Cynthia Lowe (Tim), and Amanda Ghauri (Sajid), stepdaughters, Elizabeth Bercaw (Scott), and Sarah Haug (James), and grandchildren, Daniel and Andrew Fuentes, Matthew Cole (Katie), Ryan Lowe (Carrie), Danielle Vocelka (Dane), Tyler Lowe, Johnathon Larson, Jamal, Rukhsana, and Sameer Ghauri, Jasmine Ghauri-Schuster (Julian), Callista Bercaw, Ethan and Amanda Haug and 6 great grandchildren.

Diane is predeceased by her father Daniel Charles, mother, Caroline Woodward, stepfather, James Harris, ex-husband, James Wray, husband, Thomas Williams, stepdaughter, Jane Williams, and granddaughter, Josephine Fuentes.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 2:00 PM, with visitation from 1:00 to 2:00 PM, at First Presbyterian Church, Moorhead, MN.