Carole Diane Williams

Carole was born in Augusta, Georgia on June 18, 1936, to Mary Ann O’Bryan and Thoy Johnson Eubanks. As the oldest child in her family, Carole spent much of her formative years caring for her nine siblings. Even as a young girl, she loved performing and took dance and voice lessons. She would make use of those same skills all throughout her life. Carole said she was quite proud of her mother’s talent with a needle and thread during her youth. Mothers of other dancers would seek her out for help in sewing their own daughter’s dance dresses. In her mid-teens, after her stepfather went out for cigarettes and never came back, Carole worked to help support her family. She has occasionally shared her experiences working as a car hop working for tips only. That was a difficult time for her. Soon a tall, handsome, military man captured her heart, and she married the love of her life, Herbert Jay Williams, in a simple ceremony on March 11, 1956. Together they moved to the west coast and started their own family.

As their children were growing, Carole encouraged Herb to join her in performing with a small theater group. This joint venture fostered their shared life-long love of the performing arts. They also encouraged their children in their own activities with Herb coaching the boys in football while Carole led the girls in cheerleading. Football in the fall, baseball in the spring, and bowling leagues in between, they were an active couple who developed many friendships that lasted decades.

Always a modern minded woman, Carole hit the workforce once her children were all in school full time. Soon, she landed a job with the National Semi-Conductor Corporation. She took pride in her position as a ruby cutter knowing that it was a small but integral step in the development of computer chips. Carole took pride in the intricate work, often bringing projects home to help meet looming deadlines.

Never the type to rest on her laurels, Carole remained active even in retirement. When Herb joined the Masons, she was quick to follow. On January 22, 1998, she joined the Ladies of the Oriental Shrine, Ankh Court 92. Carole relished her time with the dancers and faithfully served as their Oriental Guide for 13 years.

Always a woman of great faith, she was very involved in the activities at her church. As a longtime parishioner of Holy Family Parish in San Jose, she served as a Stephen Minister and Lector and participated in the Ministry of Movement and the Caritas Choir.

Carole was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and great-great grandmother, showering her family with unconditional love. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Herb, as well as her son, Mark Rodney Williams, and her grandsons Mark Joseph Williams and Timothy Wayne Distefano Jr. She is survived by her son, Herbert Joel (Debra), daughters Laura Ann Williams and Michelle Marie Distefano (Tim) and daughter-in-law Martha Lee Williams.

Her Grandchildren: David Williams (Sarah), Nicole Kightly (Tristan), Brenda Watkins (Josh), Jayson Williams (Jamie), Brandon Kinnunen (Joanne), Evan Hall, Makenna Sharp (Alex), Rebecca Distefano and Michael Distefano. Great-grandchildren: Evey, Catie, Cora, Kailer, Gabriel, Noah, Jackson, Magnolia, Steven, Maycee, Bailee, Anthony, Jeremiah, Joshua, Samantha, Liam and Isabella. Great-Great Grandchildren: Azeda, Flora and Athena. And her brothers Thomas Dorsey and Richard Dorsey and sister Penny Dressel.

A memorial mass will be held at Holy Family Parish, 4848 Pearl Ave., San Jose on Thursday June 18, 2026. Rosary at 10:30 am, Celebration of Life at 11:00 am with a reception following in the Community Center. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, a donation to either St. Judes Children’s Hospital or The Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in Sacramento would be appreciated.