WILLIAMS, JOYCE ELLEN, age 85, of Mt. Pleasant passed away Wednesday, March 21, 2018, at Spectrum United Hospital in Greenville.

Funeral Services for Joyce will be held at Clark Family Funeral Chapel on Saturday, March 31, at 1 p.m. with J.D. Saunders officiating. A Luncheon will follow at the same location. Interment will take place in the West Wheatland Cemetery at a later date. The family will receive friends on Friday, March 30, from 4 to 8 p.m. Visitation will continue the day of the service from 12 noon until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dementia Society of America, Pardee Cancer Treatment Fund, or Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. Envelopes will be available at the funeral chapel.

Joyce was born on April 8, 1932, in Mecosta, the daughter of Sidney and Alta (Sutherlon) Williams. Joyce received her Master's degree in counseling from Western Michigan University. Throughout Joyce's work career she fulfilled many roles as a director, professor, and counselor at Davenport, Western Michigan University, and Central Michigan University, working for several decades and retiring in 1999. Joyce was a member of the Wheatland Church of Christ and the Messiah Missionary Baptist Church in Grand Rapids. She was an avid reader, gardener, and enjoyed spending time outdoors and staying active. She was an active minority advocate and life coach to all.

Joyce is survived by her daughter, Kathy (Lawrence Beard) Williams of Rockford; grandsons, Sydney (Hillary) Williams of Mt. Pleasant and Justin Williams of Rockford; great-grandsons, Sydney, Zane, and great-granddaughter Peyton (Joyce) Williams; sister, Reva Cook of Detroit; and ex-husband and lifelong friend, Fred Williams of Bridgeman.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents Sidney Williams and Alta Wingfield; grandmother Edith Sutherlon Greenway; and infant sister Shirley Ann Williams.