It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Linda Marie Williams, a faithful wife, nurturing mother, grandmother & great grandmother, dear friend and mentor. Linda was known as “Nanny” to her family. Linda loved her Savior, Jesus Christ and went to her eternal home in heaven on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, after an unexpected stroke on December 9th. Linda and her husband Jack were married 63 years and lived half of their married life in Temecula. Her dear Jack went home to be with the Lord in March 2018.

Linda is survived by her four children: Sally Myers (Gary), Gregory Williams (Gabriela), James Todd Williams (Cindee) and Cindy Horist (Terry). She has 12 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Linda’s authentic southern roots began on February 3, 1935, near Peter’s Cove, in Woodville, Jackson County, Alabama. Her parents were Jerry Wade Maples (born 1904) and Ruby Clarice Kennamer (born 1906), also born in the Peter’s Cove and Woodville area of Alabama. Linda’s older sister was Edith Ann Grau (born 1931). In March 1932, a tornado swept through their quiet little town and destroyed the Maples family home as well as the Hosiery Mill where Jerry Wade was employed. Fortunately, her father discerned the potential harm of the deep dark ominous clouds looming a few miles away and rushed his family to a nearby family home for protection. It was the deadliest tornado recorded in Alabama. In 1938, Linda’s family moved westward to Clovis, New Mexico for her father’s health. She attended Clovis High School and met her future husband, Jack, in high school. After two years of college to become an elementary teacher, Linda & Jack tied the knot on December 23, 1954, in Clovis, New Mexico.

In 1955, Linda and Jack moved to Southern California where Jack joined the Marine Corps and began their family in San Diego. After serving his country and with Linda’s support, Jack masterfully contributed to several concepts in the food service industry in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s like Kentucky Fried Chicken and Sizzler Restaurants. Linda and Jack were friends with Colonel Sanders, Carl Karcher and Rick Snyder of In-N-Out Burger. Linda and Jack became the largest Sizzler franchise in Southern California and impacted the brand in a positive way in the 80’s.

While Linda and Jack were growing their influence in the hospitality industry, Linda was a caring and involved mother to her four children and life was...well, let’s just say: “Linda’s Way”! From being a Brownie & Girl Scouts leader, Youth Boys’ Basketball Team Mom, Cheerleading advisor, Gymnastics parent, motocross spectator, girl’s bicycle trips across the country, must-do trips to Europe with daughters, beach days, slumber parties, baking cookies, banana pudding, tutor, speech writer and trainer...you name it...she checked all the boxes of a Super Mom! Her children’s friends loved “Mom Linda” because she invested time in her children’s friends and mentored them like they were her own children. If you were paying attention, you could hear her quietly coaching the other parents. Linda’s home was the place to hang out and talk about life.

In the late 80’s, Linda and Jack retired from Sizzler and together they founded their iconic brand, Richie’s Real American Diner, nearly 35 years ago. Their hometown diners in Temecula and Murrieta are Pleasin’ People with Good Country Cookin’ along with the Diner in Rancho Cucamonga, owned by their daughter and son-in-law, Sally and Gary Myers. Linda and Jack have enjoyed working alongside their family, three generations in all, who are dedicated to keeping the character and culture of Richie’s Diner a household name for generations to come, continuing the family legacy.

It’s well known that Linda’s love for people, her natural ability to warm the hearts of her guests, love for fun and made-from scratch cookin’ has made Richie’s Diner the go-to place for food, fun and fellowship.

It was common to see Linda visiting tables, sharing stories and talking about current events. She was known as the “Richie’s Pie Lady” for her sweet creations. Yes, Linda had her touch on everything sweet...and if it did not look perfect...it wouldn’t touch the table. Her reputation was important and her desserts had to pass the “Linda Test”. Linda, who was studying to be a teacher before starting her family, created ‘classroom-style’ memories in her Diners. In the early Diner days, she made hand-crafted posters featuring pictures of her guests as they celebrated birthdays, anniversaries and special events. She decorated the Diners every holiday with eye-catching themed décor that received raving reviews from guests. She jumped in and was the most enthusiastic singer of the beloved Richie’s birthday song...her staff and guests admired her energy and felt special. She had a full wardrobe of patriotic sweaters, shirts, socks, earrings and wood necklaces to show her love of country, support of our military and our first responders. If you really got to know her, she might even give a shout out as to who you should vote for. Linda was a true patriot. The most significant attribute Linda had was her love of Jesus and sharing His saving grace with just about everyone she met. She mentored more people than we can imagine, and she never beat around the bush...you knew exactly where Linda stood on every issue, in a loving but direct way, of course. She was adored and respected because she truly loved people. Her entire Richie’s team knew they were FAMILY, LOVED, RESPECPTED AND VALUED.

Linda cherished the words, “God Bless America.”

Linda firmly believed God saved her family from the deadly Alabama tornado because He had a plan for her life. It was many years in the making but a plan to build their first little Diner called Richie’s in Temecula where folks from all walks of life are welcome, Bible Studies welcome, lost souls saved and folks encouraged. In Linda’s words, “God’s courage was for me to keep the fire burning in my heart and never let go of His plan because someday with great joy I will run across the finish line ~ I will be home with Jesus.”

Linda had the gift of touching lives in an incredible and inspirational way. Every person who met her has a “Linda Story”. The family would love to hear yours. www.richiesdiner.com May God be the Glory!

Psalm 23 & Psalm 26

Funeral services entrusted to England Family Mortuary, Inc.