Donna Marie Williams

Donna Marie Williams, 75, of Ashland, died Wednesday, March 19th at Brethren Care Village.

Born July 2, 1949 in Norwalk, Ohio she was the daughter of Norman and Eileen (Davis) Pheifer. Donna was a 1967 graduate of New London High School and married her husband, Tom on April 12, 1969. Donna was a longtime supporter and contributor to local athletics, especially for the Ashland City Schools. In her early years with athletics, Donna was the first female baseball umpire in the Ashland Umpires’ Association. She was also a volleyball official where she served as President of the NW District Officials’ Association. Later on she would be the tournament director for the OHSAA State Softball Tournament for 20 years when it was hosted at Brookside Park in Ashland. Donna also was known around town as a babysitter, caterer, and scorekeeper at high school games. Her family remembers her best for affectionately being known as ”Dr. Donna” as she was willing to help out whenever someone needed to be mended back to health. She spent much of her later years watching and bragging about her grandsons at their sporting events.

Donna is survived by her two children, Tom (Tammy) Williams of Jeromesville, OH and Teri Williams (Kraig Kline) of Ashland, OH; her grandsons Trey and Ty; her siblings, Robert (Bev) Pheifer, Jane (Robert) Lavengood, Nancy (Bill) Mesenburg, Linda (Lennie) May, Rick (Melanie) Pheifer, Scott (Dawn) Pheifer, Brothers-In-Law Ron (Sheri) Williams, Rick (Beth) Williams, and Sisters-In-Law Laura Reed and Carol Williams. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, her Brothers-In-Law Jim Williams and Dave Reed.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 23, 2025 at Roberts Funeral Home, 1058 US 250, Ashland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 24, 2025 at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Ashland. Burial will be held at Ashland County Memorial Park after the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Edward’s Catholic Church, or Brethren Care Village, or Gentiva Hospice. Donna’s children would like to thank all her family, Brethren Care Village, and Gentiva Hospice for all the help and support.