Ann Lee “Coach” Williams – Surfside Beach, SC

Ann Lee Williams, “Coach” 78 of Surfside Beach, SC; formerly of Fergus Falls, MN; passed away Saturday, January 20, 2024 after an almost two year battle with lung cancer in her home surrounded by friends. Ann was born November 15, 1945 to Orval and Mollieann (Jones) Williams in New Orleans, LA; where her father was stationed with the US Army. The family moved to Eaton, IN and Ann grew up on a small Christmas tree farm. Ann graduated from Eaton High School in 1963. After graduation, she attended Ball State University and graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. Ann began her 42 year teaching career in Dunkirk, IN teaching PE; next she taught PE at Stoner Jr. and Sr. High School in Flint, MI. She also taught science and coached at Morenci High School in Morenci, MI. Ann continued her education at the University of Michigan and graduated in 1973 with a Masters in Kinesiology. Ann then moved to Blenheim, SC where she taught and coach-ed at Blenheim High School until 1977. That summer, Ann accepted a position at FFCC, now M State of Fergus Falls. At the college, she taught biology, PE/ Health and coached volleyball, wo-men’s basketball and softball. Her 2000-01 Lady Spartans’ WBB team won the NJCAA DIII National Cham-pionship, the 2003 Lady Spartans’ Volleyball team was the NJCAA DIII Runner-up and the 1985 Lady Spartans’ WBB team was the MCAC/MCCC State Champions. Ann loved to coach and teach. Her players and colleagues were part of her family. In 2011, Ann retired and moved to Surfside Beach, SC where she lived until her Lord called her home. Ann worked at summer camps in Indiana, Maine and Alaska where she met and made lifelong friends. She loved nature, the outdoors, bike riding, bird watching like her Mom, reading, watching all sports, teaching Sunday School and volunteering for a variety of organizations. If you went to Ann’s house, you were greeted by one of her faithful friends, her dogs, most recently Munsey and Stella. Jesus, God and her church were an anchor in her life as she traveled from place to place. She was a member of P.E.O. Chapter S in Myrtle Beach, SC and the First Baptist Church in Surfside Beach, SC. Preceding her in death were parents, Orval and Mollieann; brother, Roger B Williams; and niece, Melissa “Miss” Williams. Ann is survived by a cousin, Carol Ann (Pastor Jim) Moore; their granddaughter, Chloe Moore of GA; Godchildren, Ryan Zerull (daughter, Kyrie), Emily Kramer (Luke) and children, Henry Hable and Frances Ann, Brianna (Drew) Pearson and son, Carter Donavan; sister-in-law, Mary Williams; and niece, Beth Findley and children. Friends who she called family: Beata (John) Zerull, daughter, Sarah (Tyler) Smith, Brenda (Terry) Johnson and son, Vance Johnson; Renae (Donavan) Rasmusson and son, Jordan (Emma) Rasmusson; Mae Aasen, Jean (Mike) Tinjum, daughters, Brooke and Brenna, and granddaughter Kynlee; and her church families of the Grace United Methodist Church of Fergus Falls and First Baptist Church of Surfside Beach, SC. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Grace United Methodist Church, 1100 Friberg Ave., Fergus Falls, MN 56537 or the Fergus Area College Foundation to benefit either the Orval and Mollieann Williams Family Scholarship or the Ann Williams and Dave Retzlaff Endowment, 1414 College Way, Fergus Falls, MN 56537. Both funds provide scholarships to students attending the Fergus Falls M State Campus. A Celebration of Life will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 26, 2024 at The Grace United Methodist Church in Fergus Falls, MN. They are asking all who attend to wear Spartan attire or blue and gold.