Provo, UT-Bernice H. Williams, 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Saturday, April 18, 2009, in Orem. Utah. She died of a sudden onset of pneumonia. Bernice was born June 25, 1922, in Negaunee, Michigan to Wm. Gordon and Laura Waters.

She graduated salutatorian from Negaunee High School and Magna Cum Laude from Northern State Teachers College. Later in her life, she also received a master's degree from Northern Michigan University in Secondary Schools Administration and a second Master's Degree in Music Pedagogy. She taught music for many years both in the public schools and in her home. She was an integral part of the development of the Ishpeming-Negaunee-NICE Community Schools Adult Basic Education Program, developing the "Times are Changing" radio program in support of the recruiting effort. One of the few true multi-instrumental teachers in the area, she has taught private students piano, violin, cello, flute, clarinet and saxophone. She was the first female band director at Munising (MI) High School during World War 11. Several grandchildren of her former students are currently enrolled at Old School Academy of Music, owned and operated by her son in Ishpeming, Michigan. Her teaching career spanned over 70 years as she started teaching piano lessons to the neighbors at age 13 and continued to teach until this last year. She loved being with her family, working in her yard, and spending time at her cabin at beautiful Lake Michigamme, Michigan.

She met her husband, Jack David Williams, in the symphony orchestra in college where they both played the violin. They were married June 29, 1946, in Negaunee, MI. Since moving to Provo in 1975, she has taught music at both UVSC and BYU. She played in the Utah Valley Symphony for many years. She also was the founding president of Utah County Elderquest. She fulfilled a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Frankfurt, Germany and Louisville, Kentucky.

Bernice is survived by her four children, David (Juliann) Williams, Ishpeming, Michigan, Janice (Douglas) Johanson, LasVegas, Nevada, Mary (Christian) Stevenson, Orem, Utah and Patti (Michael) Drake, Provo, Utah. She is also survived by 21 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren, two brothers, Robert (Lois) Waters, Ishpeming, Michigan and Clifford (Marguerite) Waters, Negaunee, Michigan and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack and a great-grandson, Jack Johanson.

The family wishes to thank and pay tribute to our little sister, Patti for her loving and dedicated care of our mother during the last year.

Funeral services will be Saturday, April 25, 2009, at 11 a.m. at the LDS chapel 4300 N. Canyon Rd. Provo, Utah. The family will greet visitors at a viewing Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, 646 E. 800 N. Orem and Saturday morning at the church from 9:30- 10:45 a.m. Interment will be held Tuesday, May 22, 2009, at the Lakeview Cemetery, Michigamme, Michigan.