Clara Williams was born the youngest child of fourteen to Williams Henry and Amanda (Abbott) Williams on the family homestead on Eight Mile between The Dalles and Dufur Oregon.  She was raised there and attended school until the eighth grade. Most her brothers would stay on and work the farm well close to the age of thirty, so she had lots of company. She was about ten when older sister, Ida Bradley passed away at the age of 33. Ida’s youngest child Vera would come and live there on eight mile for a while. But she would watch as all her brothers and sisters moved away.
1920 Census shows Clara at age 33 still living at home. Still not working, but I imagine there is plenty of work on the eight mile ranch as her father has passed away and it’s just her and  mother,  who now is 75 years old. Mother and daughter move to The Dalles before the 1930 census. Mother buys a place on J Street and brother Jay is now divorced and moves in with them. Clara goes to work doing books for the Model Laundry where she worked for many years. This business was located behind the Granada Theater on Washington Street and the Washington Hotel was located above it.
Mother Amanda passed away in 1933 at the age of 88; she had buried four of her children. By this time Clara is watching her brothers and sisters slowly pass away. Brother, Harry who was watching over the Eight Mile Farm hurries in to be by his mother on her death bed.  He wrecks the car. Mother Amanda passes away not knowing that her son has passed away on the same day.
Clara and Brother Jay are still living in the same home in the 1940 Census, but before another year has passed Brother Jay would also pass away. She was a member of the St Paul’s Episcopal Church where she receives Confirmation in 1953. She was also a member of the Old Wasco County Pioneer Association and much of the information we find on the Eight Mile Williams Family comes from her.
Clara’s brothers and sisters are all gone by 1967 when brother Lewis passes away. She would pass away on February 11, 1973 at the age of 87 at the local hospital. She would have 34 nieces and nephews, 18 survive her.