Peggy Williams

Peggy Williams, age 78, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2023 in the love and care of her children and the staff at Bethany Homes. Having lived with Multiple Sclerosis and other health conditions for many years with no complaints and a lighthearted attitude, she is now finally dancing with her Savior.

Peggy Deau Daniels was born on December 17, 1944 in Farmville, Virginia. She is the daughter of Robert and Josephine (Bridgeforth) Daniels and the sister of Betty and Bobby Daniels. Peggy was raised in the town of Blackstone, Virginia along with her siblings. She moved to Arthur, North Dakota in 1974 and Bethany Homes in Fargo, North Dakota in 2018.

Peggy graduated from Blackstone High School in 1962, then attended Westhampton College and the Medical College of Virginia School of Pharmacy, both in Richmond, Virginia. She completed her degree in Pharmacy in 1968 and became a licensed pharmacist on June 6, 1968. Peggy practiced pharmacy in Fairfax, Virginia and Minneapolis, Minnesota from 1968 to 1974, when she hung up the white coat to raise her children in Arthur. She was a dedicated mother until the day of her passing.

Peggy met her husband, Fred “John” Williams, Jr., while he was stationed at Fort Lee, Virginia as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. The two were set up on a blind date by a friend of John’s cousin, Jim Williams, and were married on April 9, 1969. Peggy and John welcomed their first child, Jennifer, in 1969 and their son, Johnny, in 1978.

Peggy was tremendously active in her local community of Arthur. She joined the Arthur United Methodist Church in 1974 and over the years taught Bible and Sunday School, started the Children’s Choir, served on the Building Committee, acted as Church Historian, served in ladies circles, and played the piano and organ for countless services. She was instrumental in the creation of the Arthur Park where she served as President for 14 years and also head gardener, planting flowers and weeding all summer long. Peggy directed school and church plays, authored multiple community publications, and co-chaired both the City of Arthur and Arthur Mercantile Centennial Celebrations. She was a member of the Arthur Park Board, United Methodist Women, Arthur Town Homemakers, Dakota School Booster Club, Dakota School PTO, Dakota Summer Recreation, District Republican Party and Republican Women, and the Arthur Town Firemen Auxiliary (Firettes).

Peggy was also dedicated to rural education. She was elected to the Dakota School Board in 1982 and retired in 1997. She served on the Rural Cass County Special Education Association and School Boards Association. She held multiple positions in these organizations, including President.

Peggy loved to read, play the piano, play cards, assemble puzzles, watch movies, dance, play racquetball, and garden. Until her last days of life, you could find Peggy weeding and deadheading the flowerpots at Bethany. Peggy is known by her family as thoughtful, caring, tough, strong-willed, calm, and probably one of the funniest/wittiest people they know.

Peggy is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Williams; her son, Fred John III (Megan) Williams; her brother, Bobby Daniels (Lynn); and sister Betty Daniels. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Julie Barner; grandchildren, Tyler, Jett, Kruger, Emilyn, and Fredrik; niece, Jessica Alsop; nephews, Robbie Daniels and Erik Barner; numerous cousins and lots of great friends. Peggy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John; and her brother-in-law Michael Barner.

In lieu of flowers, Peggy’s family prefers memorials be made to the Arthur Park, P.O. Box 73, Arthur, ND 58006, or to your favorite charity.