Joyce W. Williams

Joyce W. Williams, age 97, passed away on August 12, 2026. She was born in July of 1929, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Roy W. White and Lucy Adella “Della” White (Grimes). Joyce was valedictorian of her high school class at age 16. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota, and in 1954 completed her PhD in Mathematics at the University of Illinois.

Education remained important to Joyce throughout her life. She taught at Lowell Tech, which later became the University of Lowell, and retired from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. She was a member of the Mathematical Association of America. Joyce was active in her community, serving as a Littleton Library Trustee for 12 years. A longtime member of First Church Unitarian of Littleton, she served as a church historian, a member of the Women’s Alliance since the 1970s, and sang in the church choir until she was 90. She was an avid puzzler, triviaphile, and devoted genealogist.

Joyce was the mother of Edward (Alison), Arthur (Birgit), Robert (Anne), Priscilla, and Catherine (Warren Bailey) Williams. She was a devoted grandmother and great–grandmother to nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by her husband, David Williams; her daughter, Priscilla Williams (age 9); her parents, Roy and Lucy Adella White; and her sister, Phyllis (White) Brown.

Joyce will be remembered for her sharp mind, her curiosity, and the care she brought to her students, her church, and her family.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be sent to The Jimmy Fund “Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund” at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute P.O. Box 849168 Boston, MA 02284 or https://danafarber.jimmyfund.org in memory of Joyce W. Williams.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, September 19th at 1:00pm at First Church Unitarian 19 Foster St. Littleton, MA.

Arrangements are under the care of Badger Funeral Home, A Life Celebration Home, 347 King St., Littleton, MA 01460. 978-486-3709. www.badgerfuneral.com