John Williams

Dr. John Donald Williams passed away peacefully at his home in College Station, Texas, on October 22, 2018 at age 84.

A Memorial Service will be held at First Baptist Church in College Station on Saturday, November 3rd at 2 pm. A Masonic Funeral Ceremony will be held at the Warren Lodge in Caldwell at a later date.

John Donald Williams was born on March 8, 1934, to Ralph Gray Williams and Bernice Dean Williams in the Second Creek Community in Burleson County.

John attended Second Creek School through eighth grade and graduated from Caldwell High School in 1951. That fall, at age 17, he entered Texas A&M University, and in 1955, received a bachelor’s degree and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army. After serving six months in the military at Fort Sill and Fort Chaffee, he returned to Texas A&M to earn his master’s degree in 1957 and doctorate in 1961.

John and Benita Aliene Novosad were married in First Baptist Church in Caldwell on June 10, 1955.

John moved his family to Athens, Georgia, in 1964 where he worked at and helped build the new computer center at the University of Georgia. The next move was back home to Texas to work for IBM until the company wanted to move him to New York. Not wanting to leave Texas again, John took a position as Alternate Department Head of BioMath and Statistics with MD Anderson Hospital in Houston. He next accepted a position as Director of Data Processing with the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation in Austin. Georgia called again, and in 1971, he accepted a position as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Data Processing with The University System of Georgia Board of Regents and moved his family to Dunwoody, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta.

Finally, in 1974, John returned his family to Texas upon accepting a position as Associate Professor of Veterinary Microbiology and Statistics at Texas A&M. There he taught graduate level statistics, and designed and organized research projects with research groups in the College of Veterinary Medicine, analyzing data for various studies including studies on Brucellosis and Anthrax. John also worked for many years with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on “Genetic studies on White Tail Deer” at the Kerr Wildlife Management Area.

During these career moves he managed to pursue his passion for hunting (everywhere) and fishing (Colorado), loading his own shells and tying his own flies. He also built and gave away many, many bluebird houses.

John retired from Texas A&M as an Associate Professor (emeritus) of Veterinary Pathobiology in 1999.

John was a 63-year member of the Warren Lodge in Caldwell, TX, and past master of Sul Ross Lodge in College Station where he also served as treasurer for 23 years.

John is survived by his wife of 63 years, Benita; son, John David of Caldwell, and daughter, Edye Williams of Houston; siblings, Judy Richardson (Gordon) of Caldwell, Joan Ramsey (Dick) of Tomball, Jim Williams (Linda) of Houston; brothers-in-law, Ben Novosad (Sharon) of Caldwell and Russell Judah of Houston; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Jacqueline Williams Judah; and mother-in-law and father-in-law, Alma and Ben Novosad

Memorial gifts may be made to Hospice Brazos Valley at 502 W. 26th St. in Bryan, or First Baptist Church of CS Bereavement Committee or Food Pantry at 2300 Welsh Ave. in College Station.

Condolences

  1. Dear Benita and family, I am so sorry to hear of John”s health, and then to hear that he is now with JESUS. How ever as you know that is the best place for him. He was really a nice person and I always enjoyed visiting with both of you. May God bless you and yours at this time. Your friend, Jessie Bryan

  2. Dr. Williams was one of the good guys. Brilliant in helping this poor graduate student with statistics. Such great humor and almost always greeted you with a smile. It was an honor to know him.

  3. Dr. Williams was a kind man and it was a pleasure to get to know him at TAMU. I too was one of the grad students who he so patiently helped with statistics. The Williams’ family will be in my prayers and may God grant you peace and mercy as you grieve.

  4. Dear Benita, David, & Edye,
    We were so saddened to learn of John’s passing, but just
    relieved he is now at peace! Just know that you & all your
    family are in our most sincere thoughts & prayers!
    May God bless you all both now & always!
    Sincerely,
    Bonnie & Harry Andersson

  5. Dr. Williams your kind heart and sweet words will always be with me. I will truly miss you.
    Cheers sweet friend.

  6. Edye, God knows your sorrow and joy in your dad’s passing. You can be assured that he is in the land of No More Pain. I am keeping you and your family in my prayers for Grace and Peace.

    Love Always, Tandra

  7. Edye,
    You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Wishing you and your family strength and peace!

  8. I wa shocked and saddened to hear of John’s passing. He was a true gentleman. Knowing my interest in memorabilia he gave me several Aggie football photos from his era. My thoughts and prayers are with his family as he will be missed!

  9. John was a born leader in business and within his family, who will be missed on this earth. God bless his family in their loss.

    John was respected also by my late father who spoke of him often positively as not only family but also a good friend.

    John was also an excellent story teller (I mean true stories).

  10. I was blessed for many years with frequent but fleeting opportunities to interact with John during his years at Texas A&M. He was always someone I looked forward to talking to about work related issues- a real professional in a variety of fields, full of enthusiasm and energy (Lord, did he have energy!), straight forward, reliable, articulate, friendly, and very, very knowledgeable. But for me, most of all, John was simply an amazing person who was always just so darn fun to be around. To his family and friends who were privileged to know him far better than I, please accept my sincere condolences for your loss.

  11. Edye,

    I am praying for your family during this difficult time. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.

  12. To Miss Benita and the Williams Family,
    I was saddened to hear of Mr. John’s passing.
    I’m so sorry for your loss. Please accept my condolences. As Mr. John touched so many lives, his life will continue to be admired & appreciated by us all.

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