Willie Etta was born on June 23, 1930 in the front bedroom of her grandmother's (Willie Bryan Lindley) home in Springdale, Arkansas to Tressa Oneita Lindley and Paul Brooks Searcy. She was joined later by a sister Paula Jo (Mayfield) and a brother Bryan Lindley Searcy.

She loved music and family history (genealogy). At the age of 5 Willie Etta started taking piano lessons. At her first recital she enjoyed the applause so much that she kept playing until her teacher came and gently took her by the hand and led her off.

As Willie Etta got older as she would walk to or from piano lessons, she would walk through Bluff Cemetery and see all the Searcy tombstones. This started her love of family history as she wanted to know who they were, what they looked like and what relation she had with them.

She attended schools in Springdale, Arkansas, and California, graduating from San Luis Obispo High. She was a cheerleader, involved in choir, and put her heart and soul into theater. She and her eventual husband, James Douglas Hambly regularly shared the stage and created many wonderful memories together. They are parents of Laura (Ern Durrant), Loren (Marlene) and Guy (Renae). Willie and Jim and their family had many fond memories living in San Luis Obispo.

Willie's passion for Family History work continued as she and Jim relocated to Calgary, Alberta, and later to Edmonton. She took summer courses at BYU, taught many courses with the Calgary Board of Continuing Education, for beginners, intermediate and advanced students. She was elected President of the Alberta Genealogical Society in 1979. Jim shared her passion and was her biggest cheerleader and supporter.

They retired to Olds, Alberta. After Jim's passing, Willie Etta moved to Raymond, Alberta, and then to Magrath. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints throughout her life and served in many ward and stake callings. Willie Etta passed away peacefully at the Good Samaritan Garden Vista in Magrath on January 8, 2026. She is survived by her 3 children, 13 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren and 1 great-great granddaughter.

A graveside service in Olds will be held at a later date.