Winter 2006

To Be of Good Service: Celebrating the Life of
Professor of Chemistry Ted Williams

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Williams based his relationships on a foundation of trust. “It is essential that you treat students with respect, ” he said. Students came to him for advice on topics from research to relationships. And Williams graciously provided counsel, in the privacy of his office or during one of his trademark walks.

“Those countless walks around the block were of critical significance during my college years, ” said Susan Jones Ainsworth ’84. “At first, I was bewildered. Here was this important, respected professor taking time to counsel this freshman chemistry student. After a while, I realized that he took the time because he really cared.”

Though Williams said that he hated “to get involved in someone else’s business, ” the students kept coming, and the revered professor kept listening. Kristy Schavolt ’00 said, “It is amazing to think of the sheer numbers of lives he touched. I am grateful to him in so many ways and will never forget him.”

Williams inspired hundreds of students to follow in his footsteps, including his daughter, Alison, now a faculty member at Princeton University. Williams and his wife, Yvonne Carter Williams, professor, emerita, of the departments of black studies and political science, raised three other daughters: Lynora, Meredith, and Lesley.

Ted Williams’ reputation led to a number of attractive professional offers, but he chose to remain at Wooster, because of a strong sense of loyalty to the College and because it felt like home. “You have to be in a place where you fit the culture, ” he said. “The best thing about Wooster is that it enables individuals to carve out their own identity.”

He actively volunteered off-campus, as a long-time member of the 20/30 Club and on the boards of many local groups. He also was the vice-chair of the board of directors of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and an elder and long-time member of First Presbyterian Church. He ran successful campaigns for schoolboard issues and chaired campaign committees for various local political candidates.Williams’ lifelong love of classical music led him to establish the Wooster Chamber Music Series. Now in its 21st year, it continues to bring world-class musicians toWooster.

Former advisee and professional colleague Lee Limbird ’70 spoke for many when she said, “Dr.Williams (ÔTR’ to me) was a special person in my life. But it was about more than chemistry. It was about coming to understand and have confidence in myself; it was about finding the best match of my talents in service to society; it was about taking my efforts seriously, but not taking myself seriously. I enjoyed an uninterrupted colleagueship and mentorship with TR — I am currently reading more than one of the many books he continued to recommend to me. I cannot imagine my life if our paths had not crossed, but I know it would have been very different, and I would be much the poorer.”

At a memorial service on Dec. 3, 2005, in McGaw Chapel, more than a thousand people celebrated the life of this man. Speakers included College administrators, colleagues, former students, and family members. Henry Copeland, Wooster’s ninth president, said that Williams “held the institution accountable and served as the conscience of the campus.” The Rev. Jim Collier of First Presbyterian reflected, “Faith was a unifying force that brought all of Ted’s passions together and gave him direction. He was a man of deep faith, with big and grand ideas.”

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