Gwendolyn Y. Williams

Gwendolyn Yvonne Williams entered eternal rest on February 3, 2026, at the beautiful age of 89, just 7 months shy of her 90th birthday.

She was born on September 14, 1936, in Lincoln, Texas, to the late Charles Cecil Thompson and the late Leola Colvin Thompson. The family moved to San Antonio, Texas in 1940. She attended Grant Elementary School, Dunbar Junior High School, and in 1955 she graduated from St. Peter Claver High School. Gwendolyn attended Anchorage Community College, from 1970 to 1972, where she received her License as a Vocational Nurse.

In 1953, she married her first husband, Andrew Willis. To this union three children were born.  She later remarried her second husband, Carroll H. Williams from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1963, with whom she shared a devoted union of 43 years. As a proud military wife, Gwendolyn faithfully supported her husband’s career in the United States Air Force. Together, they answered the call of duty, traveling to Darmstadt,Germany 1965-1968, Okinawa, Japan (Kadena AFB) 1968-1970, and Anchorage, Alaska (Elmendorph AFB) 1970-1974, all while raising their family with love and stability.

Professionally, Gwendolyn served 30 dedicated years as a Licensed Vocational Nurse, at Providence Hospital in anchorage Alaska and at Santa Rosa Hospital, in downtown San Antonio, TX where she retired after a distinguished career, serving in the Oncology Department. Her compassion and strength were evident not only in her work, but also in her personal journey as a 35-year breast cancer survivor.

Gwendolyn was the very heart of her family — a nurturing mother, a devoted wife, and the true matriarch to all who knew her, including those in need who found comfort in her care. She was a faithful member of Macedonia Baptist Church, where she sang joyfully in the choir and attended Sunday School.

She had a vibrant spirit and many passions. Gwendolyn loved bowling, dancing, playing cards, pokeno, and cooking soulful meals that brought the family together, all this while keeping a beautifully tidy home. Most of all she enjoyed watching her boys in Blue and Silver the Dallas Cowboys

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Carroll H. Williams, and her siblings: Delores Peacock, Shirley Corprew, Charles Thompson Jr., and John Henry Thompson.

Gwendolyn leaves to cherish her memory, her loving children: Deborah Y. Willis, Andrea Marie Willis, Delbert G. “Jake” Willis (Valerie); her seven grandchildren: Anthony Willis (Claudia), Thomas Perry Jr., Sharon Jackson, Christopher Jackson, Reginald Smith, Jake Willis (Sabine), and Juston Willis (Victoria); her numerous great-grandchildren; and a host of other cherished relatives and friends.

Her legacy of love, faith, resilience and grace will forever live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.

We invite you to join us in celebrating the life of Ms. Gwendolyn Williams as her services will be livestreamed. Please click link below for virtual attendance.