Janet Eloise McWilliams

Janet E. McWilliams passed away on November 18, 2025. She was born in Sacramento on May 23, 1938, and lived her entire life in Fair Oaks. Janet attended San Juan HS, was a Deaconess at Fair Oaks Presbyterian church and graduated from Cal State University Sacramento. She later received her master's degree from University of San Francisco.

In 1957, she met and married Warren R. McWilliams Jr., sharing 67 years together, traveling with friends, playing bridge and devoting their time to their shared love of Fair Oaks.

Janet had a wonderful career in teaching 4th and 5th grade at Northridge Elementary school for 13 years. For the next 20 years she served as a reading specialist for the San Juan Unified School District in both teaching and administrative roles. After retiring from the school district, she became an author of a nationally successful set of reading textbooks.

Throughout her life, Janet was very active in the Fair Oaks community. She assumed many roles by serving in numerous organizations including Fair Oaks Inner Wheel, the Women’s Thursday Club, Fair Oaks Historical Society, Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce, Fair Oaks Theater Festival and was a founding member of the Fair Oaks Foundation for the Arts and Leisure. Janet had a passion for helping others and rarely turned down an opportunity to do so. Janet was also a member of Sigma Alpha Sigma and Delta Gamma where she made numerous lifelong friends.

Janet was proceeded in death by her parents Harold and Mae Spellman Sr. and her brother Harold Spellman Jr. She is survived by her loving husband, Warren R. McWilliams Jr., their son, Warren R. McWilliams III, daughter in law Lynda McWilliams, granddaughter Shannon Weber and great granddaughter Makenna Weber.

A memorial service to honor Janet’s life will be held at 11:00 AM on January 14, 2026 at Mt. Vernon Memorial Park and Mortuary.

8201 Greenback Lane

Fair Oaks, CA 95628