In Memoriam

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

The Passing of Samuel Edgerton

To the Williams community, I write to share the sad news that Samuel Edgerton, Jr., Amos Lawrence Professor of Art, Emeritus, passed away on Sunday, April 25. During his 27 years at Williams, Sam contributed deeply to the life of the college. Through his… Continue reading »

The Passing of Alice Gagnier

To the Williams community, We just learned the sad news that retired staff member Alice Gagnier passed away on Tuesday, April 20, at her home in Williamstown. She was 77.  Born in Pittsfield, she attended local schools and moved to Williamstown a few years… Continue reading »

The Passing of Wolfgang Peters

To the Williams community, I write with sad news that retired custodian Wolfgang Peters passed away on Tuesday, April 20, at Berkshire Medical Center. He was 87. Born in Pausin, Germany, he attended schools there before coming to the United States as a young… Continue reading »

The Passing of Phebe Cramer

To the Williams community, It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that Phebe Cramer, emerita professor of psychology, passed away on Friday, April 2, at Berkshire Medical Center.  Having earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 1962 from New York… Continue reading »

The Passing of Bob Behr

To the Williams community, It is my sad duty to report that Robert “Bob” Vaughn Behr ’55, who retired early in 1996 after a lengthy tenure in the Alumni Relations Office, passed away on Sunday, March 14. He was 87. Bob’s Williams story is… Continue reading »

The Passing of Janice Richards

Williams staff and faculty, We just learned that retired staff member Janice Richards, who was a custodian at the college for more than 20 years, passed away on January 7. She was 85. Born and raised in North Adams, she attended local schools. Known… Continue reading »

The Passing of Shirley Wolfe

Williams staff and faculty, We just learned the sad news that retired custodian Shirley Wolfe passed away on December 1 at her home in North Adams. She was 95. In light of the pandemic, we may not receive such notices as promptly as we would under normal circumstances, though I… Continue reading »

The Passing of Stephen Alcombright

To the Williams community, It is my duty to share the sad news that retired staff member Stephen Alcombright passed away on January 22 at his home in North Adams. He was a custodian at the college for more than 10 years before he retired in 2006. Born in North… Continue reading »

The Passing of Francis Ogert

To the Williams community, I write to share the sad news that retired staff member Francis Ogert, who worked in Dining Services for more than 20 years, passed away on December 8 at Hillcrest Commons. He was 80.  Born in North Adams, he enjoyed… Continue reading »

Remembering Jackson Ronningen

Williams students, faculty and staff, I am writing to share the deeply upsetting news that one of our students, Jackson Ronningen ’24, died this weekend in California. Jackson was a first year student who came to study in person this fall, then switched to remote study in late… Continue reading »