Thomas Harrison Williams

T. Harrison Williams, age 70, passed away on Saturday, December 5, 2009 from complications of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 8 at First Presbyterian Church, Marietta with Rev. Dr. Sam Henderson and Rev. Denise Beltzner officiating. Visitation will be on Monday, December 7 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home, Marietta. Harrison was born May 9, 1939 to Rayford M. and Virginia H. Williams of Jarratt, Virginia. He graduated from Jarratt High School in 1957, earned a BS in Engineering from Virginia Tech in 1961, and earned an MBA from Georgia State University in 1974. Having completed his military service as an officer in the Army, which included a tour of duty in Korea, he worked for the National Park Service, engineering restorations along the Blue Ridge Parkway. He and Judy moved to Marietta in 1965 where he worked for Lockheed during the initial production of the C5A. During his career he also worked on the C130J, C5B and P3, and retired in 2003 as the Chief Structural Engineer for US Navy Programs. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church for 44 years, serving as deacon and elder, Sunday School teacher, Bethel Bible Series teacher; chairing the Building Committee which resulted in the construction of Speed Hall; and chairing the Pastor Nominating Committee which brought the Rev. Dr. Sam Henderson to the church. Among the many ways he served his Lord and the community were his efforts for ALPHA, The Extension, MUST ministries, Presbyterian Village, and on mission trips to New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He was a longtime member of the Marietta Metro Rotary Club International, serving as its President from 1991-92, being inducted as a Paul Harris Fellow, twice receiving the “Service Above Self” Award. He and Judy participated in the Sister Cities program, visiting Linz, Germany. He is survived by his wife, Judy Kiely Williams; daughters and sons-in-law Ginny and Dr. Steve Little of Atlanta and Melissa and Parker Gilbert of Marietta; brothers Cary R. Williams of Newport News, VA and Gary M. Williams of Sussex County, VA; and five granddaughters: Katie Little, Caroline Little, Kiely Gilbert, Anna Little, and Maggie Gilbert. Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 189 Church St, Marietta 30060, CaringBridge, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, or any charity of choice.

Thomas Harrison Williams

December 6, 2009