In her earlier years, Peggy was a skilled homemaker, volunteer, and cook living in Colorado, Ohio, and California raising her three kids. Peggy moved to Phoenix in 1981, where she met and married Bill Williams in 1982. Bill preceded her in death in 2014. She would spend the rest of her life in the Valley of the Sun. She was always known for hosting wonderful holiday meals, and her mashed potatoes were legendary. Peggy also served as a troop leader for Camp Fire Girls and was the President of Y Wives, always making an impact in her community. Peggy began her career later in life and spent over 30 years in the property management business. She managed Phoenix Manor for many years before taking charge of Oakridge Apartments, Rancho Encanto Apartments, until her retirement in 2009 at Ranchos Palos Verde. Her exceptional organizational and people skills made her a natural leader and loved by the residents she so faithfully served. Peggy loved to laugh. Her laughter brought sunshine to everyone around her. Peggy loved to thrift shop and often spent many a weekend looking for the perfect find in clothes or nicks knacks. She had a deep love for music, dancing, especially ice dancing, square dancing, and line dancing. She was an avid fan of music from her radio, 8-track player, cassette player, or CD player, often filling her home with Rod Stewart and Charlie Rich. She wasn’t a “techie” but loved her computer and AOL back in the day often printing everything under the sun that interested her and hanging sayings and pictures she printer all over her home office Peggy wasn’t a world traveler but made it to Europe once and often took many local trips to California (San Diego, San Francisco, and Los Angeles) to enjoy the weather, beaches, restaurants. This was especially true when she could go to be with family for a week at Humphry’s Half Moon Inn to laugh, sightsee and see the concerts. Peggy loved pets. She rescued many dogs and gave them a loving home – including Max, Missy, Jessie, and Buddy 1, 2, and 3. She was also known to have a few cats she rescued hanging around her house, but her dogs were her next generation of kids.
Peggy is survived by her son, Jon Michael Baker, daughter Jolene Kathryn Kramer (Dave), and stepchildren Glen, Scott, and Kirk Williams. She also leaves behind her brother, Dr. James W. Houchens (Sue), sister Kathryn Su Gaynor, nieces Neila Houchens-Cone and Kimberly Jo Small (John), nephew Chris C. Gaynor, her grandchildren Steven, James Kramer, Holly Minors (Matthew), and great grandchildren.
Services and interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley. The Alzheimer’s Association, or the SPCA.
She was an amazing mother, wife, sister, aunt, and friend to all. She will be missed.
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