Joyce Olean (Sawyer) Williams

Joyce Olean Williams, 85 of Laceys Spring, AL passed away, Sunday April 27, 2025, at Huntsville Hospital.

She was a native of Graham County and the daughter of the late Coil and Mary Sawyer.

She deeply loved her family and children, and that love naturally extended to everyone around her—whether related by blood or not. With a heart full of compassion, she welcomed all as her own, offering unconditional love and acceptance without hesitation. Her lifelong work as a special education professional in the public school system reflected her passion for nurturing young hearts and minds. She poured herself into the growth and well-being of every child in her care, never turning away a child in need. Her home and heart were always open. She loved Jesus wholeheartedly, and her faith guided everything she did—evident in the way she lived, gave, and loved. She also found joy in life’s simple pleasures, especially in canning vegetables, a cherished tradition she enjoyed sharing with others.

She is survived by her husband of 72 years, Bill Williams, their four children, Terry Williams, Jeff Williams, Ricky Williams, and Tanya Williams Taylor (Jayson), and three sisters Karen Mavis Godfrey, Media Griggs, and Opal Riddle. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Amanda Williams, Charlie Williams (Jessica), Claude Stansel (Rebekah), Chase Taylor, Dawson Williams, Dylan Williams, HD Taylor, Jeb Williams, Malik Williams, Nick Williams, Stanley Williams, Tabatha Williams, TeLynn Williams Edwards (Jay), Tiffanie Williams, Timothy Williams, and Willow Grace Stansel, and 10 great-grandchildren. 

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm Sunday, May 4, 2025, at the Townson-Smith Chapel.  Reverends Noah Williams and Onley Williams will officiate.  Burial will follow the service at Lower Yellow Creek Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 till 2:00 pm at the chapel prior to the service.

Townson-Smith Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Williams Family.