In Memoriam

Sharing news about the passing of Williams faculty, staff and retirees.

The Passing of Frances J. Lewis

To the Williams community, I write today with the sad news of a retiree who has passed away. Frances Joan Lewis, 78, of Williamstown, who worked for the college for 29 years, died on March 17. Fran was born in North Adams in 1938 and graduated from Drury High… Continue reading »

The Passing of Phyllis Dorothy Wiles

I was saddened yesterday to learn of the passing of Phyllis Dorothy Wiles, 88, of Pittsfield, who retired from the college as comptroller in 1986. Phyllis was born in 1928 in Oxford, Iowa, and moved to Williamstown as a child. She was educated in Williamstown schools. Starting her career at… Continue reading »

The Passing of John W. Blake

I am sad to report to you today the death of retiree John W. Blake of North Adams. John died Feb. 3 at Williamstown Commons at age 87. John came to the college in 1962 and joined what was known then as the building and grounds department. He is remembered… Continue reading »

The Passing of V. Marguerite Chittenden

I am sad to report the death of V. Marguerite Chittenden, 93, a Dining Services retiree who passed away at her home on Jan. 11. Midge, as she was known, came to Williams in 1982 and retired in 1989. She is fondly remembered as a very dedicated hard worker, who… Continue reading »

The Passing of Gloria Jean Sausville

To the Williams Community, I am sad to report that a retiree recently passed away. Gloria Jean Sausville of Bennington, who worked in Dining Services for 25 years, died on September 11. She was 72. Gloria started working for the college in 1983 as a dishwasher at Driscoll dining hall,… Continue reading »

The Passing of David A. Booth

To the Williams community, I am sad to report to you today the death of David A. Booth, retired vice provost and political science lecturer. David passed away Sept. 5 in Laguna Woods, Calif. He was 84. Born in Canton, Ohio, and raised in northeastern Ohio and… Continue reading »

The Passing of Professor Leslie Brown

To the Williams community, It is with profound sadness that I write to you about the death of Professor of History Leslie Brown. Leslie passed away August 5 in Boston after a battle with cancer. Leslie had been a member of the Williams faculty since 2008, and… Continue reading »

The Passing of Charles E. Gardner Sr.

To the Williams Community, I was sad to learn this week that a retiree has passed away. Charles E. Gardner Sr., a 26-year veteran of Campus Safety & Security, died July 19 at Berkshire Medical Center. He was 82. Born in Williamstown in 1933, Chuck attended Williamstown… Continue reading »

The Passing of James W. Gregory Jr.

To the Williams Community, I am sad to report the death on Saturday of James W. Gregory Jr., who retired from Williams in 2010 after a career in the college’s grounds operation that spanned five decades. Jim, known to many family and friends as “Jim-O,” came to… Continue reading »