Joann Williams

Joann L. Williams passed away Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at Meadowlark Hills Stolzer House with family by her side.

The daughter of the late Edison Riley and Hazel Alice Markley Roy, she was born on February 16, 1932 in Turner, West Virginia.

Joann attended a one-room schoolhouse in West Virginia, and at 18, moved to Buffalo, New York, to attend nursing school. She graduated from the Trott Vocational School of Practical Nursing in Niagara Falls, New York and received one of three honors awarded to the sixth graduating class from Trott.

After graduation, Joann was a nurse at Niagara Falls Memorial Hospital in Niagara Falls, New York. Switching floors with another nurse who had an ailing father, is how she happened to meet her husband, Lee, a patient on the first floor. Joann and Lee were married on September 20, 1952, in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. They made Kansas their home in 1962.

Joann was a devoted wife to Lee for 62 years, and a loving, caring and generous person to her family and anyone who entered their home. Her family and home came first. She loved any time she could spend with her children and grandchildren and enjoyed reading, gardening, baking, and quilting. Winters in Arizona and the annual Roy reunion in West Virginia she looked forward to every year.

Joann is survived by three sons, Kevin (Calvette), Keith (Lynda), Kent (Deb) and two daughters, Karen Cassel and Kathy (Jeff) Rootring all of Olsburg; 15 grandchildren; 45 great grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; her brother, Harlan Roy; numerous relatives and her dear friend Gladys Zimmer.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lee, son Karl L. Williams, infant daughter Kristi M. Williams, son-in-law Don Cassel, brothers Arthur, James, Robert, Reland, Delbert, sister Mary Reckart, two infant brothers and dear friend Mike King.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the Olsburg Cemetery with lunch immediately following for friends and family at the Olsburg American Legion. 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests memorial gifts to the Olsburg Community Pride for the benefit of a splash park. Contributions may be left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.