Joe Martin Williams passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 1, 2026 and went to meet his creator in eternity. Joe had suffered a series of falls, both at home and at other rehab institutions over the past three months. His sudden death was a shock to his many friends and former students.
Joe was a San Angelo native, born on November 16, 1947. He was 78 years old. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Frances Williams. He is survived by his brother, Charles L. Williams, Jr. He is also survived by extended family members, David and Joy Gay and family, Ron and Beverly Gay and family, Valerie and Steve Dickens, and Vicki and Sam Ray.
In early life Joe attended David Crockett Elementary, Washington Jr. High, and San Angelo Central High School. He graduated from Texas Tech University in 1970, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Education degree. Joe later earned a Master of Arts in Physical Education degree from the University of Texas at Permian Basin in 1987.
Joe was a very talented athlete, playing Little League Baseball for Jones and Lyons as a pitcher and short stop. He started a tennis career at Washington Jr. High in the 7th grade and continued with the sport through the rest of his junior high and high school years. Joe's athletic prowess in tennis led to a state singles tennis championship in 1966 for Central High School. He also demonstrated leadership skills as the President of the National Honor Society in 1966. In 2018 Joe was inducted into the Central High School Hall of Fame.
Joe started his teaching career at Abilene Cooper High School in 1972-1973. He was the Tennis Pro at Abilene's Rose Park from 1973-1978. Joe later became Tennis Pro at Fairway Oaks in Abilene from 1978-1981. After, he became the tennis coach at Hardin Simmons University from 1981-1982. Finally, Joe served as the tennis coach for both men's and women's tennis at Midland College from 1983-2000. Along the way he served as athletic director from 1994-2000.
Joe left Midland College in 2000 and moved to the Villages in Florida as an independent golf instructor from 2001-2003. Later, he was the Golf Pro at the Links of Spruce Creek from 2004-2006. From 2006-2015, Joe was the Golf Pro at Lady Lake Golf Course, then moved to Golf Southern Style from 2016-2018. He then taught golf at the Oxford Golf Academy from 2018-2020 until he moved back to San Angelo where he resumed independent golf lessons.
During his teaching career at Midland College, Joe's men's tennis team won 1 Jr. College National Championship while the women's tennis team won 5 National Jr. College Tennis Championships. When the women's tennis program was eliminated, he started a women's golf team which won 3 consecutive Women's National Jr. College Golf Championships.
Joe was a Marine Corps Reservist for 6 years from May 1970 to May 1976. He was also a single man of faith while attending the Fairway Christian Church in the Villages of Florida. He later attended Johnson Street Church of Christ in San Angelo. Joe was a man of strong Christian faith, reading and studying his Bible, which was a special part of his early morning regimen. Joe is now in the arms of his Heavenly Father and finally in his Heavenly Home for eternity.
The Williams Family would like to extend a special thanks to the ladies of Hospice of San Angelo.
Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM on Friday, October 9, 2026 at Johnson's Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 9:30 AM on Saturday, October 10, 2026 at Johnson's Funeral Home with Pastor Scott Allen officiating. Interment to follow at Fairmount Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Joe's honor to the United States Tennis Association Foundation or the Professional Golfer's Association of America REACH Foundation.
