Holly Joel Williams, 50, of Lompoc, California, passed away February 17, 2017 peacefully surrounded by music and those she loved most. Her charm, beautiful smile and amazing faith made her not only impressive but also inspirational and memorable. To know Holly was to know beauty, courage and life.

Holly made her "debut" on George Air Force Base, the first child of Jack and Vicki Willingham. She had incredible blue eyes, a passionate spirit and a personality to match. Simply put she was "raised up right" and her powerful love for God, incredible voice and her "Southern Roots" not only changed her life, but ours as well.

Raised on gospel, folk and blue grass, it comes as no surprise that Holly could be found on the Muses stage Friday night and in the choir loft at Carpinteria Baptist on Sunday morning.

A self-proclaimed "Southern Belle" in California Holly lived her life with charm and style. Entertaining on stages led her from "Climb Every Mountain" to "Memories" and accolades for her skill in lifting up an audience and carrying them away. After being crowned Miss Santa Barbara County, Holly was set up on a blind date that changed her life. Rodney Williams, a cowboy tried and true, swept her off her heels and into a pair of boots. They married under an oak tree on the Williams Ranch and welcomed Clayton, Nolan and Wesley shortly after.

Holly wore in those boots raising those three cowboys: to rope, ride and race with heart and spirit-they meant everything to her. Armed with an undeniable faith in God, she made sure their lives were surrounded by a belief in God's grace and goodness. As they grew into athletes and men, there was never a moment where she wasn't on a sideline or in an arena to champion and cheer on her sons.

She lived her faith with her whole heart. And it was evident in all she endeavored to do including her "amazing tragedy": metastatic breast cancer. Diagnosed almost ten years ago, Holly fought through countless treatments, chemotherapies, radiation sessions, and surgeries.

Not one to shy away from living with intention, Holly became not only a patient but also a warrior. She campaigned for breast cancer alongside her Holly's Hooters, and spoke throughout the state to bring awareness to her faith in living with metastatic breast cancer. She continued to sing with jazz ensembles and big bands, producing CDs of music she loved- from jazz to gospel hymns. She used this time to write and publish two children's books, both of which spoke of her love of family, tradition and empowerment.

Ask anyone who knew Holly Williams and you will find a common refrain, she lived a life of faith, passion and love. It is impossible to list who she was to us all, because she was simply one of a kind. Her legacy will live on through her sons Clayton, Nolan, and Wesley Williams; her daughter in law Sammie; her grandson Jackson; her husband Rodney Williams; her parents Jack and Vicki Willingham; her sister KelliAnne Willingham and her brother Nathan Willingham.

Graveside Service will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery on Tuesday, February 21st at 10:30am . A reception will follow the services at the Santa Ynez Presbyterian Church, 1825 Alamo Pintado Road in Santa Ynez, CA.

Memorial donations may be made in Holly's memory to Hats for Hope, P.O. Box 139, Arroyo Grande, CA 93421.