“We were devastated to learn of the passing of our colleague and friend, Commissioner Suzy Williams,” said Washington County Mayor Joe Grandy. “All of us who worked with her in Washington County extend our deepest sympathies to the Williams family.”
Grandy and Commission Chair Greg Matherly issued a joint statement Wednesday, expressing their grief and condolences as well as fond memories of the third term commissioner.
“We are all suffering this loss and we extend our condolences to her husband Jack and the entire Williams family,” said Matherly. “Suzy served the community tirelessly, not only on the Washington County Commission but in numerous community boards and activities. In addition to her service as 9th district Washington County Commissioner, she was an active member of the Employee Compensation & Benefits, Ethics, Health, Education & Welfare committees, the County’s Communications Task Force, and served as county representative to the Johnson City Library Board.”
Williams was a former member of the Johnson City School Board. She was active in the Washington-Unicoi-Johnson County Medical Alliance and the Junior League. She and her husband Jack were founders of the conservative, Westminster Presbyterian Church. Suzy was a native of Erwin, Tennessee and became a Washington County citizen in 1970 when her husband joined Appalachian Orthopedics.
Williams was a proud graduate of the University of Tennessee and constant champion of the heritage of East Tennessee and American Patriotism.
Williams shared her love for both the city and county and her desire to see them work together on her county web page:
"I would like to see a real appreciation between city and county citizens for the common accomplishments we share," Williams said on her Washington County web page biography.