Joyce Williams

Joyce Williams (Billie Joyce if you were feeling brave) left her temporary earthly stay to go on to her eternal home on February 15th, 2026 at the age of 89. She was born on February 22nd , 1936 and lived a life overrunning with love, generosity, and joy.

She was married to the love of her life, Pete, on October 9th,1954 and remained his steadfast, devoted, and sassy wife for 66 years until his passing in 2020. She was a faithful follower of Jesus and found special joy later in life attending and serving at the churches where her son, Rick, was the pastor.

Joyce was especially dedicated to spending time with her granddaughters and great-grandchildren, but she loved every little one who had the joy of knowing her. She wasn't just "Nanna" to her grands and great-grands, but to every child that happened to tag along with them. Her home (and fridge) was open to everyone, and her generosity knew no bounds.

Her caring and joyful nature was evident in everything she did, whether it be work, embarrassing her son at his ballgames, hosting pool parties for the grandkids, driving endless hours to cheer her grands and great-grands on, or just rocking a baby to sleep in the church nursery. Her legacy is one of love, and there is no greater legacy to leave.

Joyce is survived by her son, Rick Williams and his wife Marian; her sister, Frances Roberson; two brothers, Shirley (Linda) Willard and Kenneth (Dona) Willard; niece Lisa (Jeff) Yeager; and great-nephews Andrew Yeager and Brandon Herring. She leaves three granddaughters: Jessica Contreras, Julia (Patrick) Rhodes, and Jennifer (Djay) Schaibly. Her great-grand children Chloe Patrick, Alexander Contreras, Liana Schaibly, Kaylee Schaibly, and the soon arriving Charlotte Rhodes were the lights of her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Pete Williams; her parents Enis and Mamie Willard; her sisters June Black and Jean Mitchell; her brothers Johnny Willard and Linder Willard; her nephew Barry Bullington; her niece Melinda Herring; her great nieces Heather Herring and Nikki Yeager; and her great nephew Hunter Herring.

The visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 from 10AM-11AM with funeral services at 11:00AM at LifeSpring Church, 1090 Main Street, Bldg B, Southaven, MS. Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery- South, 2545 E Holmes Road, Memphis, TN.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Joyce Williams' memory to the Benevolence fund at LifeSpring Church or any worthy charity. The family would also like to extend their sincere thanks and love to the staff at the Pinnacle Assisted Living Facility and Spring Valley Hospice for their patient and kind care for Joyce in her last days.

"Three things will last forever - faith, hope, and love - and the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13

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