In Memoriam

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

The Passing of Dorothy “Dot” Gerry

To the Williams Community, We are saddened to learn of the passing of a retiree. Dorothy “Dot” Gerry of North Adams, who worked as a custodian here from 1971 to 1989, passedaway Wednesday. While at Williams, she worked alongside her husband, Cyril “Chappy” Gerry, who survives her. Continue reading »

The Passing of Bob Spofford

To the Williams Community, It is with great sadness that we learned this week of the passing of one of our employees. Bob Spofford passed away Dec. 1 at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield. He worked for Williams for 33 years. Bob held many positions during his… Continue reading »

The Passing of Carolyn Oakes

To the Williams community, Once again, we are saddened this week to learn of a retiree who recently passedaway. Carolyn Oakes, who worked at the college from 1989 to 1997 as a custodian, died on Nov. 10 in North Adams. For a time, Carolyn worked in the old Sawyer Library,… Continue reading »

The Passing of John Van Horn

To the Williams community, Today we learned that a longtime Dining Services employee, John Van Horn, passed away on Nov. 3. John had retired from the college in 2010, after working here since 1971. John was the Dodd House chef for many years, and he is remembered for his homemade… Continue reading »

The Passing of Norman J. Labrecque

To the Williams Community, We were saddened this morning to hear of the death of Norman J. Labrecque, who worked at Williams from 1967 to 1985, retiring as a custodian. A member of the Greatest Generation, Norman served in the US Army during World War II in the European Theater. Continue reading »

The Passing of Paul J. Moorman Sr.

To the Williams Community, I am sad to report that Paul J. Moorman Sr. recently passed away in Greensboro, NC. He was 92 years old. From 1970 to 1988, Paul worked as a dishwasher in dining services, and upon his retirement returned to Greensboro. His son, Paul… Continue reading »

The Passing of Henry N. Flynt Jr.

To the Williams Community, I am sad to report the death this weekend of Hank Flynt, an institution at Williams and in Williamstown almost from the time of his arrival here as a member of the Class of 1944. Hank was a real Yankee gentleman: reserved but gracious, polite but… Continue reading »

The Passing of James MacGregor Burns

To the Williams Community, I am sad to report the death this morning of one of the best known and most influential faculty members in the college’s history. James MacGregor Burns, the Woodrow Wilson Professor of Government, Emeritus, co-wrote what in its time was the most widely used college… Continue reading »

The Passing of Sally Bird

Since 1980 she has played important roles in the daily functioning of the college, and for the last 20 years in the Dean of the Faculty's Office, she's supported countless individual faculty in their work. Continue reading »