Wendy Jo Williams

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Wendy Jo Williams, Oct. 12, 2026 at her beloved Burt Lake home following a courageous four-year battle with lung cancer despite being a non-smoker. Wendy was 61. She was surrounded by her partner Dave Hoppe, her son Zach, and her three older sisters in her final days.

Born in November 1964, in Midland, Michigan, to Dr. Edward C. and Sally J. Williams, Wendy was the youngest of four daughters. She graduated from H.H. Dow High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Management from Central Michigan University.

Wendy lived life with boundless energy, enthusiasm, positivity, and joy. She loved to laugh, loved people, and, more than almost anything, loved to have fun. Friends often described her as “the life of the party” and someone who “lit up the room when she walked in.” Her personal philosophy was simple: “I just want to have fun!” And Wendy certainly did.

She maintained close friendships throughout every chapter of her life—from her childhood in Midland, her high school and college years, her decades in Traverse City and, finally, her much-loved life on Burt Lake. She had a remarkable ability to bring people together and built a wide circle of cherished friendships along the way.

Wendy was extremely active throughout her life and rarely sat still. She loved golf, downhill skiing, snowmobiling, boating, water sports, aerobics and yoga, and for years faithfully logged more than 10,000 steps a day. She traveled with friends in the Grand Traverse Women's Travel Golf League and played euchre with the same group of friends for more than 30 years. During quieter northern Michigan winters, she enjoyed crossword puzzles, games, and playing cards.

She also had a gift for landscape design and took enormous pride in creating and maintaining beautiful outdoor spaces. Wendy loved being outside, and nowhere made her happier than Burt Lake with Dave. She frequently said these were the happiest years of her life. She treasured waking up to the lake, watching it change through the seasons, and sharing her beautiful home with family and friends.

Wendy spent 15 years as Credit Manager at the Traverse City Record-Eagle and nearly 30 years as Office Manager at Laser Printer Technologies. Later in life, she found particular joy working at Hidden River Golf & Casting Club and The Highlands—fun, people-oriented jobs that perfectly suited her outgoing personality and love of people. In a touching tribute to Wendy's joyful spirit and the friendships she made there, Hidden River will rename its Turn Grill “Wendy's Grill” in her honor.

Above all, Wendy was a loving and devoted mother to her son, Zachary R. Clement, whom she loved fiercely.

Wendy built a life filled with family, friendship, adventure, hard work, laughter, and more than a few shenanigans. Even through the challenges of cancer, she retained the spirited personality and remarkable enthusiasm for life that made her so special.

She is survived by her beloved son, Zach; her partner and lifelong next-door neighbor, Dave Hoppe; her special Golden Retriever, Murphy; her three older sisters, Sue Coates (Denis), Cindy Tennant (Brian), and Ann Corbin (Kevin); seven nieces and nephews, Stephanie Coates, Kevin Coates, Samantha Coates, Katie Tennant-Beenen, Andrew Tennant, Christopher Corbin, and Steven Corbin; and Dave's children, Kieley Hoppe and Dane Hoppe. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Edward and Sally Williams.

Wendy leaves behind countless wonderful memories and an enduring legacy of love, laughter, and friendship. Those fortunate enough to have known her will forever remember her infectious laugh, vivacious spirit, and the joy she brought into their lives.

Perhaps the best way to honor Wendy is to follow her example: laugh often, treasure your friendships, stay active, appreciate the beauty of nature around you, and never pass up an opportunity to have a little fun.

A Celebration of Wendy's Life will be held Saturday, November 21, at the Hagerty Center at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City. Family and friends are invited to gather informally from 10:00–11:00 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life service from 11:00 a.m.–noon, and a buffet luncheon afterward.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Wendy's name may be made to the Burt Lake Preservation Association, P.O. Box 632, Indian River, MI 49749, or to the American Lung Association.