Willa Carol Dunn-Williams

Born November 16th, 1944, Willa Carol Dunn-Williams, a true “Coal Miners Daughter” entered eternal life on December 22, 2023. Preceded in death by her parents George W. and Virginia Ruth Karnes, older sister Donna Elizabeth Hilliard and the love of her life Clarence “C.C.” Williams, Willa is survived by her younger sister Barbara (Richard) Wade, “Little Brother” William D. (Missy) Holliday III, best friend James (Ann) Schuler and numerous nieces and nephews including Cheryl (Bob) Rooney, Alicia (Reid) Gartelmann, Gerry (Holly) Wade, Kyle (Julia) Sandberg, Steven Karnes Holliday, Jeremy James Holliday and William D. Holliday IV. Born and raised in southern WV, Willa graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1962 after which she moved to Washington DC to begin her professional career with the Bell Telephone Company. Shortly after, Willa married David Dunn (deceased), also from Beckley WV, whom she remained with until 1977 when they amicably separated. In 1978 Willa transferred to South Florida where she continued her career with BellSouth. It was during this time that she met the true love of her life, C.C. Williams whom she married in 1986. Willa and C.C. both took early retirement from BellSouth in the late 80’s, at which time they purchased a sailboat and spent the next decade sailing the Caribbean, during which Willa was able to achieve one of her proudest accomplishments as an officially licensed Merchant Marine Officer Master. After a brief illness, C.C. died in 1999, leaving a void in Willa’s life that was never filled. Following C.C.’s death, Willa continued diving with her friend Jim Schuler and lived in numerous communities in South Florida, including River House (Deerfield Beach), Buena Vista (Wellington), Lakewood Ranch (Bradenton) and most recently in Village Walk (Wellington), where she met and maintained many friends over the years. In the last years of her life, Willa was deeply religious, attending both the Christ Fellowship Church (Royal Palm Beach) and Grace Fellowship (West Palm Beach). Up until her death she was active in visiting Assisted Living facilities to help spread joy to those who needed it most. In addition, Willa was an Organ Donor, and in the end her liver and kidneys were used to save the lives of others. Willa’s Celebration of Life Memorial will be held at the Palms West Funeral Home (palmswestfuneralhome.com) on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at 2pm, with Pastor Frank Ingram officiating. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Willa’s memory to Grace Fellowship of West Palm Beach (contributions@gograce.church).

Willa Carol Dunn-Williams

November 16, 1944 - December 22, 2023