Kay T. Williams

Kay T. Williams, 87, of Summerville, South Carolina, passed away on Monday, December 1, 2025. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 65 years, John R. Williams; her parents; sister, Peggy; and brothers: Ned, Ron and Jack. She is survived by her brother, Eric (Raquel); her daughters: Karin Cavanaugh (Matt) and Allison Williams; grandchildren: Ryan Cavanaugh and Rachel Merillat (Tyler); and several grandpets.

Kay was born Martha Kay Threadgill on January 15, 1938, in Winnsboro, SC, the second daughter of the late Eunice Smith Threadgill and Eric Threadgill. Kay grew up in Glenn Springs, South Carolina and graduated from Roebuck High School. Early on, Kay was a star, participating in diverse activities ranging from managing the High School girls' basketball team to working on theater productions. 'Katy-did' was noted as 'the most studious' in her class and graduated as the valedictorian. In her senior year, she received the highest score on a written homemaking examination taken by over 4500 graduating girls in South Carolina to win the Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow award. The award enabled her to attend Vanderbilt University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and met the love of her life, John. Together they built a life around family, friends, and community.

As a young Navy wife in the early 1960's, Kay maintained the home front on the island of O'ahu while John was running submarine missions in the Pacific. Home with an infant daughter, Kay and the other Navy wives never knew when or if their husbands would come home. Kay shared that they would hear rumors of a return and together they would go to the shore and wait for them to arrive. Most times they were disappointed, but with the support of each other, they would return home to continue caring for their families with strength and resilience. Kay demonstrated this strength and resilience across all aspects of her life.

After John's naval service, they settled in Naperville, Illinois, a small farming community outside of Chicago. Kay was the heart and brains of their family. Managing the household like a business, she ensured they stayed on budget and that John didn't spend all their money at Ace Hardware. When not tending to her family, Kay also found time to devote herself to volunteering in the community. She was a master social organizer, creating beautiful events that not only produced joy, but built an extensive social network. She was actively involved in the Naperville Garden Club for many years, serving as President and heading up a Junior Garden Club. She was also active in the Wesley United Methodist Church, American Association of University Women, and the Art Institute of Chicago.

Kay was a dedicated patron of the arts and it was important to her to impart that appreciation to her daughters. When the girls were in elementary school, she was the 'painting lady' bringing in works of art to classrooms and educating the students about the artist and style. Later, she would take the family to museums wherever they were or lived. Kay was a talented artist herself whether she was creating beautiful floral arrangements or making unique decorative crafts in her basement crafting studio.

Kay adored flowers and created magnificent gardens. Spring was bursting with tulips and pansies, and summer featured boastful blooms in her rose garden. She was especially enthralled with Japanese flower arranging and won first prize for her design at a Naperville exhibition. Kay also helped organize and decorate several homes for the Naperville Garden Club's Annual Cup of Cheer, something the whole community looked forward to at the holidays.

Kay enjoyed playing bridge and tennis, participating in a ladies-only investment club, and whipping up new creations for the neighborhood gourmet club. And even though John was the more adventurous one in the family, Kay was right there along with him trying new things. She was always a good sport as the family camped, water-skied and fished. She even learned to take off and land a single engine Cessna when John got his private pilot's license in the early 80's.

Kay was a voracious reader and read books across the spectrum. She imparted this love of reading to her daughters who would share recommendations with each other. She always had one or more books in progress. Kay's love of reading was deeply tied to her love of people. She treasured her family and friends and took care to hear their stories and remember important events. She was the keeper of the family tree not just for our family, but other families, too.

Kay especially loved spending time with her grandchildren. They would make cookies for Santa with their 'Oma' at the holidays and would spend several weeks every summer in Naperville exploring the Chicago museums, baking, and working in the flower gardens.

Kay loved to travel and ventured to all but two continents. Her girls' trips with Naperville friends were legendary and included treks to Prague, Budapest and London to name a few. When John was posted to the Netherlands in the late 80's, she helped him establish a home and community in the village of Baarn. Kay organized trips to regions of historical interest all over the Netherlands as well as other countries in the area. Among the incredible expeditions: visiting the Van Gogh Exhibitions marking the 100th Anniversary of his death; strolling through the beautiful Keukenhof Gardens; and traveling to the recently fallen Berlin Wall and chipping off a piece. Kay also took a course in Indonesian cooking introducing her family to the amazing flavors and spice profile of the cuisine and the unforgettable rijsttafel.

There are not enough words to capture Kay's spirit. She was brave, brilliant, witty, tough, kind, and loving. Her family meant everything to her and she will be greatly missed and loved always.

A Celebration of Life service will be held in Summerville, South Carolina as well as in Naperville, Illinois. Details will be forthcoming.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Kay's name:

Alzheimer's Association

St Jude Children's Research Hospital

Heifer International

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com/. 

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral & Cremation, 869 St. James Avenue, Goose Creek, SC 29445, (843) 553-1511.