JoAnn J. Williams, 73

JoAnn June Williams, 73, of Kearney, passed away January 26, 2024. She was born February 7, 1950 in York, NE to Robert and June (Stahr) Knipfel. JoAnn was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Kearney.

She is survived by her loving husband, Stan Williams; children, Christopher Williams of Pennsylvania and Kim Williams of Los Angeles, CA; siblings, Don (Terese) Knipfel of Bella Vista AR, Susan (Paul) Hurd of Seattle WA, and Nancy (Roger) Goodban of Kearney; and many nieces and nephews.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents and sister Jean (Lester) Siebert.

JoAnn worked as a clerk in a dime store, grocery store, and lumber yard as she traveled with her husband to different duty stations in the Nebraska Sandhills while he served with the Nebraska State Patrol. JoAnn’s greatest joy was when she ran a daycare in Valentine, she loved children and loved watching them grow up. After Stan transferred to York, she continued

her work in childcare for several years. In 2001 Stan retired from the patrol and she joined him in creating Blue Knight Security, where she was a partner, bookkeeper, and human resource manager. During the ten years they operated Blue Knight Security, JoAnn enjoyed the many officers that Blue Knight employed as well as the customers that utilized their services.

JoAnn also became very active in supporting and volunteering at York Adopt a Pet. Her love for animals knew no bounds. After ten years, the company was passed on to Pat and Josh Dorcey, and Stan and JoAnn retired to Bella Vista, AR, where they enjoyed their house on top of a hill in the woods, watching all manner of various birds and wildlife that came to visit. Because of declining health, they moved back to Kearney in 2021.

JoAnn passed in the early morning hours January 26, 2024. She was attended by her loving husband Stan and loving daughter Kim. She was at peace with the world and looking forward to life eternal in God’s Kingdom.

A memorial Service will be held April 23 at 11:00 a.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in York, with a lunch to follow. Any memorials can be sent to York Adopt a Pet, or donor’s choice.