In Memory Of

Donna Jeanne Williams

12/11/1932 - 8/11/2026

Details

Visitation Date

08/22/2026

Visitation Time

9:00 AM

Visitation Location

Bunker's University Chapel

3529 East University Drive, Mesa, AZ, 85213

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Memorial Date

08/22/2026

Memorial Time

10:00 AM

Memorial Location

Bunker's University Chapel

3529 East University Drive, Mesa, AZ, 85213

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Graveside Date

08/22/2026

Graveside Time

12:00 PM

Graveside Location

City of Mesa Cemetery

1212 N Center Street Mesa, AZ 85201

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About Donna Jeanne Williams

Donna Jeanne Williams, 93, passed into the presence of her Savior on August 12th, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona.

She was born in Chicago, IL to Clifford Charles and Anna Mae (Thomas) Mefferd.

She is survived by her children: Roger (Linda) Williams, Scott (Regina) Williams, Linda (Doug) Dueck, Dale (Shirley) Williams, Todd (Shannon) Williams, Jeanette (Mike) Clark, 17 grandchildren: Daniel, Melsaa, Morgan, Matthew, Jill, Lisa, Tyler, Tabitha, Brenna, Eric, Philip, Nicholas, Williams, Lee, Anna, Joshua, Faith and her 29 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers: Roy and Chuck Mefferd and her brother and sister-in-law Steve and Joyce Williams. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roger Williams, her parents and her siblings: Richard Mefferd, Albert Mefferd, Anita Ockert and may other family members and friends.

Donna was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as her savior as a young girl. She had an abiding love for Jesus and faithfully served the Lord all of her life. She attended Moody Bible Institute and was married to the lover of her life on June 11th, 1955 at Belden Regular Baptist Church in Chicago. She loved being a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. The large family portrait taken at she and Roger’s 60th wedding anniversary was prominently displayed wherever she lived.

For over thirty years, her personal passion was researching Cherokee family history and genealogy. Her children remember the sound of the clacking of a typewriter in the middle of the night, when she did not have the pressing issues of mothering.

Her last place of residence was at The Oasis on the Historic Mesa campus.

Over the years, she worked as a secretary in a number of businesses, sold Mason shoes and encyclopedias and managed a block of apartments. She served with her husband at Calvary Baptist Church in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, for ten years before they moved to Arizona where they helped plant Calvary Baptist Church in Mesa. It was here that she and Roger served together the longest until his homegoing in February 2016. Whether it was helping in the office, cooking at Summer Bible Camp, teaching Sunday school, visiting the sick or hosting people in her home, she had a passion for the Gospel and the work of Christ.

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Honoring Your Loved Ones

Condolences

8 comments

Millie Rockafellow

1 week, 6 days ago

I was 24 years old when my husband and I moved to Mesa and joined Calvary Baptist Church which was not yet 3 years old. I felt like Donna was the first pastor's wife I ever knew as an adult and then as a friend also. She was so excited about thr Lord and even back then was looking for her Savior to come anyday. I ended up staying in Mesa for 33 years and for all those years she was a part of so many things I learned and did. She was truly an unique and special lady. (Thanks for streaming the service today.

Tom Petro

1 week, 6 days ago

I have such wonderful memories of Mrs. Williams: from first knowing her as a faithful pastor's wife and mom to some wonderful kids at Calvary in 1983; on through many years of watching her faithfully serve the Lord at Camp Tishomingo. I praise the Lord for the godly influence she and Pastor Williams had on my life. Praying for and also rejoicing with the family in her homegoing.

Roger Williams, Jr

2 weeks ago

What a special Godly Mother who loved the Lord Jesus Christ and telling others about trusting Jesus Christ as their personal Savoir! She was alsojust a great Mom! Who told me about Jesus and I trusted Jesus as my Savoir!

Helen Spicer

2 weeks ago

In my rearview memory mirror, I look at Donna as the best model of a Pastor's wife, mentoring and guiding the ladies of the church in the Word. At Calvery Baptist, Mesa, she waited to start a ladies group wanting to avoid it straying to a gossip group. With the help of a retired missionary, I feel we had the best Christ focused and outward looking meetings. Donna's love of research informed us in more depth. I have many fond memories of our years serving and growing at Calvery Baptist, Mesa. My love and prayers goes out to all her family at this time.

Shari (Arbuckle) Hopkins

2 weeks ago

Mrs. Williams shared the gospel with me when I was 9 (50 years ago) and that's when I accepted Jesus as my Savior. The Lord was her comfort and salvation and I am thankful and grateful she followed him all of her days, and shared His love with so many. I love you Mrs. Williams and look forward to seeing you again. God bless and comfort her children and grandchildren during this time.

Karis (Adler) Mapes

2 weeks, 1 day ago

I remember Mrs Williams as a kind firm foundation of the faith and a person who was one to follow as a model for what a lady in ministry looks like. A faithful person as a teenager to look up to at camp and youth retreats. I am thankful for the friendship I have enjoyed with many of the Williams family over the years and we trust that these days together will bring you great joy

Clavary Baptist Church, Mesa Arizona

2 weeks, 1 day ago

Calvary Baptist Church extends its love and sympathy to Donna Williams' family. As the wife of our founding pastor, Pastor Roger Williams Sr., Donna holds a special place in Calvary's history. We are thankful for her many years of faithful service to the Lord through our church's ministries and for the many lives touched by that service. Most of all, we give thanks for her testimony of salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We pray for the Williams family and rejoice with them in the hope we share in Christ.

Sharon Walker

2 weeks, 1 day ago

Aunt Donna was such a Her books are treasures to mesweet, beautiful lady. I really appreciate all she did to trace my mom's family.