British-born Carol Williams served as the San Diego Civic Organist for around fifteen years, most of which was spent as artistic director of the Spreckels Organ Society. Having earned a doctorate in music from the Manhattan School of Music, she was frequently be seen performing on Sundays at Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park.
A new ten year contract ($28,860 annually) negotiated in 2011 enabled her to continue performing in Balboa Park. The City of San Diego, which has paid an annual salary to a Civic Organist since 1926, had previously stated it might not be able continue the tradition.
On September 2, 2012, she scored a world record by playing the Spreckels Organ in Balboa Park for twelve consecutive hours. In summer 2016, she announced that she'd resign her position as San Diego Civic Organist in order to relocate to Virginia, after a final September 25 performance at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.