After a brief illness, Jo Etta Williams, age 79, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2019, in Cox South Medical Center in Springfield, Missouri. She was born on May 18, 1940, to Owens and Hallie Mikkelsen in Niangua, Missouri, the youngest of six children.

Jo graduated from Niangua High School in 1958, and married her high school sweetheart, Fred L. Williams, on August 16, 1958. They were married 55 years, and were blessed with three children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Jo was preceded in death by her husband, Fred, her parents; three sisters, Ina Mae Mikkelsen, Thelma Lou Parkins, and Loretta Rogers; and a brother, Chester Mikkelsen. She is survived by one sister, Betty Mikkelsen.

She is also survived by her children, Tonya McCann (Bob McCann) of Springfield, Tony Williams (Vicki Williams) of Springfield, and Trisha Turri (Patrick Turri) of Wasilla, Alaska; grandchildren Ashley McCann, Andrea McCann, Adam McCann, Chase Turri, Lindsey Williams, and Kaitlyn Williams, and two great-grandchildren, Isabela and Aspen.

Memorial services will be held at 12 p.m. on Friday, January 3, 2020 at The Boathouse in Springfield Lake Park in Springfield, Missouri. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of service.