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Ann Lee Williams “Coach”, 78, of Surfside Beach, SC, died Saturday, January 20, 2024, after an almost 2-year battle with lung cancer, in her home surrounded by friends. She was born November 15, 1945, to Orval and Mollieann (Jones) Williams in New Orleans, LA, where her father was stationed. The family then moved to Indiana and Ann grew up on a small Christmas tree farm in Eaton, Indiana. She graduated from Eaton High School in 1963. She attended and graduated from Ball State University in 1968, with her Bachelor of Science degree. She continued her education at the University of Michigan, graduating in 1973 with a Masters degree in Kinesiology. Ann began her 42-year teaching career in Dunkirk, Indiana teaching PE, next she taught PE at Stoner Jr. High in Flint, Michigan. She then moved to Blenheim, SC and taught Jr. High and Sr. High Science and PE, and coached GBB. In the summer of 1977, Ann accepted a job at Fergus Falls Community College, now known as M State. While at FFCC/M State, she taught Biology, PE/Health, and coached VB, WBB, and SB. Her 2001 Lady Spartans WBB team won the NJCAA Division III National Championship, the 2003 Lady Spartans VB team was the NJCAA Division III runner-ups and her 1985 Lady Spartans WBB was the Minnesota JC/CC State Champions. Ann loved to teach and coach. Her players and co-workers were part of her family. In 2011, Ann retired and moved to Surfside Beach, SC where she lived and called it home. She worked at summer camps in Indiana, Maine, and Alaska where she met and made lifetime friends. She loved nature, the outdoors, riding bike, reading, all sports, volunteering and teaching Sunday school. If you were a guest at Ann’s house, you were usually greeted by her faithful companions, her dogs, Munsey or Stella. Jesus, God, and her church were an anchor in her life as she traveled from place to place. She was a member of PEO, Chapter S. in Myrtle Beach, SC and First Baptist Church in Surfside Beach, SC. Preceding her in death were her parents, brother, Roger Williams and niece Missy Williams. Ann is survived by a cousin, Carol Ann (Pastor Jim) Moore; 2nd cousin, Chloe in GA; godchildren, Ryan Zerull (Daughter Kyrie) Emily Kramer (Luke) and children Henry Hable and Frances Ann, Brianna Pearson (Drew) and son Carter Donovan, sister-in-law, Mary Williams and niece Beth Findley and children. Friends who were her family; Beata (John) Zerull, Brenda (Terry) Johnson and son Vance Johnson, Renae (Donovan) Rasmusson, and son Jordan (Emma) Rasmusson, Jean (Mike) Tunjum and girls Brooke, Brenna and Kynlee. Special friends; Nancy Wilson, JoAnne (Bill) Jackson, Betty Crawford, Sarah Dye, Clelia (Eric) Nixon and son Reagan, Nancy (Bruce) King, Penny (George) Stewart, Nancy (Roger) Reece, Dot Bensinger, lifetime friend, Bonnie Cole Weatherhead (Bill) and nieces Kelly Thomas and Kristin Ramsey, Connie Ries and her First Baptist Church and Grace Methodist Church families. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to First Baptist Church Surfside Beach, 711 16th Ave N., Surfside Beach, SC 29575 or to Fergus Area College Foundation to benefit either the Orval and Mollieann Williams Family Scholarship or the Ann Williams and Dave Retzlaff Endowment. Both funds provide scholarships to students attending the Fergus Falls campus of M State at 1414 College Way, Fergus Falls, MN 56537, or facfmstate.org. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, January 27, 2024, at First Baptist Church Surfside Beach.

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Ann Lee "Coach" Williams

November 15, 1945 - January 20, 2024