Joy Lorraine Williams

Kristina Hemel
2 days ago
2 min read

May 14, 1930 — December 5, 2025

Goodland, Kansas

Joy Lorraine Williams, 95, of Goodland, KS passed away peacefully on Friday, December 5, 2025.

Joy was born on May 14, 1930 to James Williams and Ethel Jordan in Thomas County, KS. She was the oldest of ten children. She lived in Brewster with her family until it was decided best for her to live in a facility that could provide the care that she needed to accommodate her intellectual disability.

Joy resided in several facilities until finally settling in to Golden West Skills Center in Goodland, KS in February of 1979 where she lived for the remainder of her life. Joy liked being around her fellow residents and staff of Golden West—visiting with everyone at the center and having her morning coffee with friends. When she wasn’t socializing, she could be found listening to Christian and country music (often humming along), watching country western movies & television shows, folding hankies, and looking at magazines. She also enjoyed getting out and about in the community every chance she got. Some of her favorite activities over the years included attending the local fair, going to church, shopping at Walmart, attending concerts, going to McDonald’s to grab a McFlurry, and participating in the Special Olympics Truck Convoy.

Though Joy loved participating in many outings, none compared to her favorite outing of them all: attending Precision Kombat League Wrestling matches. Her friends loved seeing how much fun she would have at these matches and how her eyes would light up with excitement. Joy most definitely did not let her disability get in her way of enjoying life.

For Joy, her caregivers, staff, guardians, and friends at Golden West (now ResCare) were her family for much of her life. She was especially close with several residents that she lived with over the years. She has had many caregivers, staff, and guardians that have been devoted to ensuring she lived her highest quality life. Joy sure lived up to her name—bringing joy to all those around her. She was loved by so many over the years, she will be truly missed.

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