Jill Williams Niell

I am part of all that I have met. -Tennyson

Obituary

With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Jill, who was born on February 17, 1949 and passed away on September 13, 2026 in Tampa, FL.  

Jill will be remembered for kindness, generosity, and the ability to bring people together. Family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues all experienced the warmth and sincerity that made time spent with Jill meaningful.

Throughout life, Jill built lasting connections and touched many lives through simple acts of care, encouragement, and friendship.  Her deep connection to the Lausanne School community was a foundation for her friendships and service activities throughout her life.  Conversations, shared moments, and deep, aching laughs all created memories that will remain with those who had the privilege of knowing her.

Family meant a great deal to Jill, and relationships were always nurtured with patience and devotion. Friends valued loyalty and sincerity, while colleagues appreciated her detailed and thoughtful approach to work and collaboration.

The passing of Jill leaves a space that cannot be filled. Yet the memories, lessons, and moments shared will continue to live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate to know her. 

Jill's cancer diagnosis was only 4 months old, and while she was responding well to her treatment and feeling fairly well all things considered, she succumbed to her disease after a very short hospital stay.  Somehow, Jill managed to keep up with two book clubs, her bridge friends, and master gardener friends all through her illness.  Those who knew her were aware that no sickness would keep her down.  Her suffering has come to a thankfully short, and graceful end.  

Jill will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Memorial

Jill did not want to have a service, rather a public online memorial for all to share - so everyone can contribute.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in her honor to WUSF Public Radio or to Lausanne Collegiate School

Timeline

1949

February 17^th

Born

Jill was born to Jarvis and Lyle Williams.  She and her older brother Robert grew up in Savannah, TN in a home filled with family and music.  Jill's love of sports was clear, a passion that would only grow through the decades.

Savannah, TN

1964

Enrolled at Lausanne School for Girls

Lausanne became an anchor in her life, a source of lifelong friends and community.  During her time there, she made deep connections to the school and the greater Memphis area.  She even met a guitar-playing boy she couldn't keep her eyes off of - who would eventually become her husband and best friend.  

Memphis, TN

1967

Graduated from Lausanne School

Jill loved Lausanne - it was more than a school to her, it was a touchstone that would shape her life, and represent a constant in her adult life.   

Memphis, TN

1969

June 14^th

Married Fred Niell, Jr

After a lovely wedding in her home town, Jill and Fred began their life together.  The moved for work, living in Mississippi, Florida, Texas, and eventually settled in California.  Jill eventually returned to banking for work in San Francisco, where she worked her way up in Union Bank.  During that time she had an enviable commute - leaving minutes from their home in Marin to the Sausalito ferry terminal each morning, taking the misty morning ferry in the shadow of the Golden Gate bridge to the Union Bank building in downtown San Francisco.  

Savannah, TN

1977

February 1^st

Motherhood

Jill became a mother in 1977, giving birth to her only son Fred (Ricky, Fred) Niell, III. 

Marin county, CA

1980

Pensacola years

Jill, Fred, and their son moved to Pensacola, FL.  Jill's faith and artistic talents blossomed during her time in Pensacola.  Fred and Jill joined the congregation at Christ Church, Pensacola, and quickly bonded with the community.  The choir at Christ Church ignited her passion for singing, a love that she would pursue for the rest of her life.  During this time she enjoyed learning to weave, and became quite accomplished in stained glass artwork, creating dozens of pieces, many of which are still in windows across the south.  During this time the Niell family fell in love with sailing, an activity they would share for decades to come.  

1986

Memphis years

The family moved to back Memphis in late 1986.  In 1987 she held a memorable 20th reunion for her Lausanne graduating class, and soon rejoined the Lausanne School family in the role of admissions director.  She took great pride that her son Fred 3 attended Lausanne as well, graduating in 1995.  

1999

August 6^th

Fred 3's wedding

Fred 3 got engaged to his highschool sweetheart Bethany in 1997.  Then after graduating college, they were married at a small wedding in Michigan, August 1999.  Jill and Fred loved to dance - lots of dancing at that wedding. 

Allegan, MI

2011

Beijing, China

In August, 2011, Jill and Fred moved to Beijing, China for Fred to work as headmaster for an english-language school there.  Jill had always entertained the idea of living abroad for a period, but Beijing wasn't on her short list.  The had a lot of fun there, but Jill was definitely homesick, especially around the holidays.  They both really enjoyed the opportunity to immerse themselves in another culture.  While she eventually did acquire a taste for some Beijing cuisine, fairly quickly after moving into their apartment, she found her favorite american-style hamburger joint nearby.   

2012

Grandson

Jill and Fred were back in the US over summer break when they heard their son Fred and his wife Bethany were expecting a baby early 2013.  Jill decided immediately that she was not going back to Beijing, and they were moving back to the US.  She was so excited to be a grandmother, though she insisted to be called "Buddy" by her grandson.  Late 2012 Fred and Jill moved to the Boston suburbs to be close to Fred and Bethany and her grandson Grey Niell.  As soon as Grey was born, Jill and Fred decided to split time taking care of their only grandson while Fred 3 and Bethany worked.  Fred 3 and Bethany have never needed a babysitter or nanny - Jill and Fred were always there to help whenever needed.  She loved being Grey's "Buddy."

Lexington, MA

2015

Back to Florida

In 2015, Jill's daughter-in-law took a position at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL.  Rather than living across the country from her grandson, Jill and Fred moved along with Fred, Bethany, and Grey to Tampa.  They took up residence in the carriage house behind Fred and Bethany's main house.  They adored the  opportunity to be close to family, and counted themselves especially lucky to be a such an important part of Grey's childhood.  While in Tampa, Jill volunteered with the Plant Museum, the Straz Center, became an active member of the competitive bridge community, completed the Master Gardener program at UF, and volunteered with the local Master Gardener chapter.    

Tampa, FL

Gallery

Memory wall

Favorites