BARBEL ACKERMANN-WILLIAMS
1948 - 2023
Barbel Ackermann-Williams was born March 29, 1948 in the small village of Wede, near Bad-Segeberg in Northern Germany. At age four the family moved to Dusseldorf where she attended school. She met her future husband, an American, David Parsen, in Brussels, Belgium. They married in Miami, FL, after which they spent many happy years together in Brussels where they built a successful business. She enjoyed a glamourous life of international adventure and fun, eventually moving to Pasadena in 1982, where she began studying art with many renowned artists.
After her husband’s retirement in 1988, they moved to Bishop, California. Soon after arriving in Bishop, Barbel opened the Ladybug Art Gallery and joined the Downtown Merchants Association, while caring for her ailing husband until his death in 1990.
She remarried, to yet another David – David Williams. Barbel was an artist, devoting many hours to her craft in her home studio. She also encouraged and supported other artists through her many art workshop weekends, held in various resort locations. After visiting Toppenish, Washington, a town that enjoyed a renaissance with the installation of murals, she became an enthusiastic advocate for improving the economic climate of Bishop similarly through public art. She was the founder of the Bishop Mural Society in 1997. Her dream was to help Bishop to become a destination “mural city” drawing visitors to our town to see the beautiful murals that represented the vibrant history of our valley. Under her leadership, over 26 murals were installed throughout the City of Bishop. One of her favorite memories was being thanked for her efforts by being named Grand Marshall of the Christmas Parade! She loved to entertain, and her amazing parties were legendary!
After the sudden loss of her second David in 2003, she began spending time in Indio, in Southern California where she enjoyed the warm weather and made many new friends. Eventually she moved to Indio full time, enjoying an active retirement, and continuing with her painting in her new home studio. Her love of life was infectious, and she was unfailingly generous to those around her. She will be sorely missed by her family and friends.
Barbel is survived by her beloved sister, Ortraud Houlihan (Peter) of Chelmsford, the United Kingdom, her nieces Bridget Boutilier (Ian Scarse) and Katherin Houlihan of the United Kingdom, and great-nephew Joseph Houlihan (Allyson) of Irvine, CA. and great-great-nephew, baby Harrison Houlihan, who brought the light back to her eyes. Also survived by good friend, Andrea Shallcross of Bishop, CA. There will be a graveside interment of cremains on Friday, December 8, 2023 at 1 p.m. at the East Line Street Cemetery, 2000 Poleta Road, Bishop CA. Friends and family are invited to say a final farewell to our loving sister, auntie, and friend at that time.