Joy Ramsay Williams Ahlvin of Denton, 75, died peacefully on Tuesday, September 9, 2008, after a brief but progressive battle with metastatic melanoma.  She died at home, surrounded by family and loved ones.  A memorial service to celebrate Joy's life will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 20, at First United Methodist Church in Denton with the Rev. Matt Gaston officiating. A reception will follow in Flinn Hall.

She was born on March 5, 1933 to John Allison Ramsay and Anice Love Banks in Carthage, Arkansas.  Joy graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 1951 and attended Henderson State Teachers College earning a Bachelor of Science in Education in three years.  She began practice teaching in Little Rock and later taught business classes at Central High School.

On August 7, 1955 she married William M. "Bill" Williams at Winfield Methodist Church in Little Rock. They lived briefly in Kentucky and Missouri while Bill completed an internship and residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology then moved to Denton, Texas, followed by a move to Russellville and North Little Rock, Arkansas then Waco, Texas and returning to Denton for their retirement years.

Joy was preceded in death by her parents, John and Anice Ramsay and her beloved husband of forty-five years, Dr. Bill Williams, as well as one brother, Wendell Banks Ramsay. Joy was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She is survived by her loving family, daughter Jody and husband, Dr. Tim McGuire of Denton, and three sons Dr. Scott Williams and wife Marlene of Georgetown, Rick Williams of Houston, Alan Williams and wife Erin of Mountainview, California. She will be forever loved and deeply missed by adoring grandchildren, Molly, Sally and Joy McGuire and Devin, Reid and Shelby Claire Williams. She is also survived by her by her brothers Ward Ramsay, and wife Selma of Russellville, Arkansas, Dwight Ramsay and wife Jerry of Lafayette, Louisiana, and sister-in-law Virginia Graf of Shreveport, Louisiana, as well as nieces and nephews, Raye Turner, Adrienne Short, Joy Crafton, Bubba Turner, Courtney Ramsay, Allison Ramsay, John Gentry, Debbie Sempter and Allison O'Dell.

Joy also leaves her caring, loving husband of five years, Lawrence Albert Ahlvin and

step-children Eric and Linda Ahlvin of Corvallis, Oregon, Carol and Fernando Perez of Vancouver,Washington, Susan and Peter Gouris of New Hope, Pennsylvania, Allen and Carolyn Ahlvin of Willow Grove Pennsylvania, and step-grandchildren, Katy, Benny, Danny, Teddy Ahlvin, Alex and Michael Perez, Patty, Mary, Jackie and Erin Gouris.

Through the years Joy was active in the life of the churches she attended, teaching and serving on numerous committees.  In the places she lived she gave of herself to outreach and civic organizations. Over the past 13 years she has served as a member of the Denton Mainstreet Project, as Past-President and member of the Denton County Medical Auxiliary, in which she especially enjoyed her work on the Live Then Give (Organ Transplant) Project, the Daughters of the American Revolution and PEO.  Joy was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church and the Bungalow Class. She created a travel group called the "Trippers" from within the congregation that travel throughout the world.

Joy lived her life as a true reflection of her beautiful name. With a twinkle in her eye and a playful spirit, she was the living expression of God's kindness.  Her caring and gentle spirit touched many lives and her love of family was evidenced in every aspect of her precious life.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joy's memory to First United Methodist Church, 201 S. Locust, Denton, TX, 76201.