Emmy Williams

1927 - 2025

Emmy Lee Williams passed away peacefully on November 8, 2025. Emmy lived a full life of 98 years, mostly in Decatur, and more recently, at Friendship Village in Bloomington, MN.

Emmy was born to Leota Emma (Grombach) and Emile Henry Buchmann in Belleville, Illinois on February 3, 1927. She shared the joy of being an identical twin with her sister Rose Marie.

Emmy was preceded in death by her much-loved husband, James Edward Williams. They met in the Millikin University bookstore. They married right after graduating from Millikin, on October 9, 1948. Emmy earned her degree in English and Jim in business. When Jim passed away, Emmy established a memorial garden outside Gorin Hall with their names and "Thanks for the Memories, Class of 1948" on a beautiful rock. Emmy, along with her two sisters, joined Pi Beta Phi. Emmy and Jim valued their sorority, fraternity and university ties and were active alumni. Emmy contributed to the Decatur community through her volunteer work and membership in Junior Welfare, P.E.O., the Decatur Club and the Country Club of Decatur. Emmy and Jim owned Williams Fashion Shop in downtown Decatur. They were members of Westminster Presbyterian Church and Central Christian Church. Both enjoyed playing golf, traveling and visiting family. Emmy was an Illinois Master Gardener and enjoyed beautiful gardens, cooking, dancing, swimming, many book clubs, favorite color purple, coconut shrimp and any kind of chocolate.

Emmy treasured her family and many friends. She will be remembered lovingly by her three children and their spouses, Jill DeMichele (Dan), Julie Doxsie (John) and David Williams (Nikki). She was proud of and cherished by her eight grandchildren, their spouses and seven great-grandchildren: Jill Doxsie, Danny DeMichele (Maleas), Jeff Doxsie (Kaity), Tommy DeMichele (Sarah), Joey DeMichele (Sara), Parker Williams, Carter Williams and Windsor Williams, great-grandchildren Maddy and Mackenzie Doxsie, Nicholas, Christina, Jack, William and Charlie DeMichele. She is survived by sisters-in-law Zetamae Williams and Carolyn Buchmann, many nieces and nephews and was preceded in death by her husband, parents, her sisters Rose Marie Roach Miller and Jeane Kluga and her brother Carl Buchmann.

Services will be private. If you would like to make a donation, please consider giving in memory of Emmy Williams to the Memorial Landscaping and Tree Gifts fund at Millikin University. Please make checks payable to Millikin University, Alumni and Development Office, 1184 W. Main Street, Decatur, IL 62522 or give online, at millikin.edu/givenow.