Joe and Joanie Williams

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Oct. 28, 2022) – USA Volleyball was saddened to learn of the death of Joanie Williams, longtime registrar and office manager for the Delta Region.

Williams, 65, died Oct. 27 of glioblastoma brain cancer at her home in Jonesboro, Ark. Her husband, Joe, the Delta Region commissioner, was by her side. The couple celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary this year.

Williams was known for her infectious joy and passion for the sport and the people who loved it as much as she did. She made thousands of friends through volleyball.

Williams founded the Delta Region High Performance Camp, bringing together the best players in three states. She created initiatives that helped Delta become one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States.

In 1982, Joanie, Joe and the late Joe Thomas founded the Arkansas Junior Olympic Volleyball program, the first junior volleyball club in the Midsouth. The club participated in hundreds of regional and national tournaments. Nearly 200 players from the program enjoyed college volleyball careers.

A celebration of Joanie William’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Monday (Oct. 31) at Temple Baptist Church, 2834 Race St., Jonesboro, AR 72401. Public visitation will be 5-7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, you may consider your favorite charity in her name, or Temple Baptist Church, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, St. Bernards Foundation or the NEA Baptist Charitable Foundation.