Janet Elizabeth Williams

Longtime resident of the Plymouth community, Janet Williams (formerly Luce), passed away on October 14, 2025, one month short of her 94th birthday.

Janet was an active and well-loved member of the community, participating in numerous social and musical groups where she sang and played guitar. She also taught yoga, swimming, and served as a trip planner and tour guide for senior citizens through the Plymouth Crediteers Group.

A devoted and determined mother of four, Janet decided in the early 1970s to pursue her education, earning her Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University in 1974. Upon graduation, she began working for the YMCA, where she helped develop the Plymouth Community Family YMCA. She served as its Director from the mid-1970s through 1988.

Family was always Janet’s highest priority and she cherished every opportunity to spend time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She remained active throughout her life and continued to embrace new challenges — at age 80, she proudly completed a one-mile swim across Lake Margrethe.

She pursued pottery throughout the majority of her retirement and became quite accomplished, creating many cherished pieces that reflected her creativity and passion for art. She spent her retirement years traveling between Grayling, Michigan and Bradenton, Florida and maintained a wide circle of friends wherever she was.

Janet grew up in Flint, Michigan, and married Harry Luce in 1951. The couple moved to Plymouth in the late 1950s and later divorced in 1974. Janet married James (Jim) Williams in 1988 and was widowed in 2015. Jim was an exceptionally supportive and generous man.

Janet is survived by her children: Stephanie (Albert) Calille, Joyce (Mark) Feick, James Thomas (Joanna) Luce, and John (Cindy) Luce and her stepchildren Dr. James (Donna) Williams III and Susan Williams. Janet is also the proud grandmother of Jeffrey (Crystal) McKelvey, Kate (Matt) Barron, David (Kayla) Calille, Jordan Luce, Jonathon (Maritza) Luce, Baylie Luce, and Matthew Luce and great-grandmother of Ella, Maggie, Violet, Jack, Parker, Luke, and Brooke.

Janet is preceded in death by her twin sister, Joyce Smith, her brother, Dr. Edwin J Thomas, her late grandson, Douglas McKelvey, and her great-grandchildren, Madelyn and Zoey McKelvey.

In her later years, Janet was especially fortunate to have shared a close friendship with Bob Vodicka, who brought joy to her life.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.