Ann Palmer Williams

Born on June 7, 1941, in Fayette County, Alabama, Ann was the daughter of Kinnie and Mary Palmer. After her sophomore year at Fayette County High School, she moved to Mobile and attended Murphy High School. Soon after, she met her future husband, James H. “Jim” Williams, when he drove past her home while she was tending flowers in the front yard. Ann liked to say he was first drawn to her “slim figure.” During her senior year, she proudly drove Jim’s prized pink-and-white Plymouth Belvedere convertible after he lost his license drag racing. She later continued her education at Troy University.

Ann married the love of her life, Jim Williams, at age 19. Together they shared 49 years of marriage and built a family grounded in faith, love, laughter, and devotion.

After graduation, Ann began a distinguished career in government service. She worked as a clerk-typist for the U.S. Air Force at Brookley Air Force Base in Mobile, served with the U.S. Army Missile Command in Huntsville, worked for the Postal Service in Brunswick, Georgia, and later served as a Navy comptroller in Pensacola, Florida. During the Cold War and Vietnam era, she was entrusted with transporting classified documents from Army Missile Command in Huntsville to destinations across the country, including Washington, D.C., San Diego, Chicago, and Seattle. Though she never knew the contents of the locked briefcases she carried, she took great pride in serving her country. Following retirement, she volunteered for 19 years at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola.

Ann had a lifelong love of music and served as pianist for Oak Grove Methodist Church in Fayette as a teenager. Later, as a faithful member of Myrtle Grove Baptist Church, she remained active in church life. She cherished her Sunday School class, volunteered for many years counting the offering on Monday mornings, and often played piano for her class. Her faith guided her life and was evident in the way she cared for and served others.

Ann treasured the friendships she cultivated throughout her life. She enjoyed gathering with friends for breakfast, lunch, travel adventures, and countless hours of laughter. She especially cherished the lifelong friendships she shared with Nancy Dyson and Patricia Colley, whose companionship brought her years of joy, adventure, and unwavering support.

Ann and Jim shared a love of travel and adventure. When their children were young, the family enjoyed camping, hiking, and exploring the outdoors. After the children were grown, Ann and Jim explored much of the United States through road trips, cruises, and visits to National Parks. Some of their happiest memories were made discovering new places together. In later years, Ann delighted in traveling with Samantha and Avery and especially enjoyed their many trips to Disney World.

Ann was fiercely loyal to her family and considered them her greatest blessing. She loved family gatherings, especially Fourth of July celebrations and Christmas traditions. She found joy in swing dancing, square dancing, ballroom dancing, painting, gardening, playing games, playing the piano, and spending time with those she loved. One of Ann’s favorite pastimes was sitting on the dock overlooking Pensacola Bay and watching the sunset over the water. She never tired of watching the Blue Angels soar overhead and took great pride in the country she loved so dearly.

Ann leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, strength, and devotion that will continue through the generations she cherished.

She is survived by her children: Russell (Donna), Brett (Jennifer), Eric (Dora), and Samantha (Henry). She was a proud grandmother to Kelli (Scott), John (Autumn), Jeffrey (Melody), Joshua (Olivia), Carol Anne (Kendall), Hannah (Josh), Rachel, Elijah, Sarah (Shawn), Rebecca (Brianna), Cherith, Briana, Avery, Dylan, and Myles.

She was blessed with eight great-grandchildren: Caleb, Miriam, Johanna, Jason, Ryder, Maverick, Hawk, and Azalea. She is also survived by her brother, Jimmy Palmer; many beloved nieces and nephews; and her dear friend, Nancy Dyson.

Ann was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 49 years, James H. “Jim” Williams; her parents, Kinnie and Mary Palmer; her sister, Jerrie McDaniel; her brother, Kinnie Palmer III; and her dear friend, Patricia Colley.

Those who knew Ann will remember her warm heart, steadfast faith, love of country, devotion to family, and the joy she found in spending time with those she loved. Though she will be deeply missed, her family finds comfort in knowing her legacy lives on through the many lives she touched and the faith she lived each day.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m.until 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Bayview Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages acts of kindness in Ann’s memory. Consider making a donation to the National Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, the Alzheimer’s Association, or sending flowers, cupcakes, or other treats to a local memory care facility to bring joy to residents and caregivers.

BAYVIEW FISHER-POU CHAPEL, 3351 Scenic Highway is entrusted with arrangements.