Born in Seattle in 1918, Jeanette Williams attended Mercer Grade School and graduated from Queen Anne High School. She attended the Cornish School of Music and received degrees from the University of Washington and the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago as a violin major. She married in the 1940s and settled in Seattle, raising her two children in View Ridge.

In 1962, Williams became chairperson of the King County Democrats. Running for City Council in 1969, Williams stressed two issues: establishing City programs for senior citizens and issues surrounding turning Sand Point Naval Base into a park. Williams served on City Council from 1970 until 1989, when she was defeated in her bid for a sixth term after a fiercely competitive race against Cheryl Chow.

Williams chaired six committees during her tenure on City Council, including: Human Resources and Judiciary 1970-1977; Transportation 1978-1981 and 1988-1989; Labor 1982-1983; City Operations 1984-1985; Parks and Public Grounds 1986-1987; and Intergovernmental Relations 1986-1989.

One of Williams' earliest accomplishments was the establishment of the Fair Campaign Practices Ordinance in 1971 and subsequent amendments. Legislation included a matching fund program and required candidates to list their contributors. The City ordinance was used by the State later when it drafted a campaign reform law. Two other important projects in Williams' tenure include construction of the West Seattle Bridge and acquisition of Kubota Gardens in the Rainier Beach area. The Office of Hearing Examiner was also created under Williams. Established in 1973, it was a judicial body ruling on land-use disputes.

Williams successfully advocated the creation of the Seattle Women’s Commission which was established in 1971. Her work on the women's issues was recognized at the first annual Seattle Women’s Summit on October 19, 2002. She also worked on issues related to equal rights in housing and employment. As the Chair of the Parks and Public Grounds Committee Williams worked on issues related to the Disney proposal for Seattle Center redevelopment. Williams' interest in the development of Sand Point Magnuson Park existed many years prior to its creation in 1974.

Williams continued to be active in civic duties after leaving City Council. In 1999, she was appointed by the mayor to the Sand Point Blue Ribbon Committee, charged to review the park’s plan and make recommendations. She was the Chairperson of the Sand Point Liaison Committee during the 1990s. Williams served on the Advisory Council of the Seattle-Chongqing Sister City Association and served as a member of United Neighbors. In 2003, she was named to an 18-member Citizen Advisory Panel on Council Elections that studied the pros and cons of district, proportional, at-large, and other forms of representation. Williams died October 24, 2008.