Margaret Jo Williams, 80, of Pensacola, FL, passed away November 20, 2009. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Grace Eeckhout of Julesburg, CO. She is survived by her husband, Carl E. Williams of Pensacola, FL; daughter, Langley Williams of Pensacola, FL; son, Alan Williams (Annica) of Fleming Island, FL; son, Colin Williams (Meredith) of Pensacola, FL; sister, Celena Smith of Julesburg, CO; brother, Gifford Eckhout (Chris) of Denver, CO; six grandchildren, Brian Anderson and Celena Anderson of Pensacola, FL, Erik Williams and David Carl Williams of Fleming Island, FL, Margaret Olivia Williams and Conley Williams of Pensacola, FL; and three nieces and six nephews. Jo graduated valedictorian of her senior class in Julesburg, CO. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology at the University of Colorado and her Master's Degree at Stanford University. Subsequently, she served in faculty positions at both universities. At Stanford, she initiated the pre-school Deaf Program. She also worked with cerebral palsied children in the San Francisco Bay area. In June 1963, Jo left Stanford to marry Carl, who was in the final stages of his doctoral work at the University of Illinois. There, too, Jo taught courses in the Speech and Hearing Department. When Carl returned to Cambridge, MA as a Senior Scientist at his former place of employment, Jo was offered and accepted a teaching position at Emerson College in Boston. Jo always said she never had to apply for a job-the positions came to her. When, in 1968 she and Carl moved to Pensacola, Jo was offered and accepted the position of Acting Director of the Speech and Hearing Clinic at Baptist Hospital. Jo loved music and the arts. An early enthusiast and promoter of the arts in Pensacola, she served two terms as Chairman of the Pensacola Arts Council and several times as President of Pensacola's historic Music Study Club. She was known as a statuesque wit with many stories about humorous events in her life (some of which had to be told again and again at the request of family and friends). Jo took pride in her Colorado wheat-country heritage. Jo's family marveled at her spirit and determination to overcome physical health problems and challenges she encountered following the loss of the family home to Hurricane Ivan. She took pride in, and loved, the new home she and Carl built. Jo's beautiful view was exactly the way she and Carl designed it. Jo was deeply devoted to her family, extended family, and close friends. She was truly a blessing to those whose lives she touched in so many ways. She will always live in our hearts. A Memorial Service and Celebration of Jo's life will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, January 2, 2010 at Trinity Presbyterian Church, with Dr. Hugh Hamilton, Dr. Al Reese and Rev. Nan Morgan Adams officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations for a music scholarship in Jo's name may be made to the Pensacola Music Teacher's Association, c/o William Jennings, P.O. Box 246, Gonzalez, FL, 32560; or the Trinity Presbyterian Church Praise Band, 3400 Bayou Blvd., Pensacola, FL 32503. HARPER-MORRIS MEMORIAL CHAPEL is in charge of arrangements.