Arthur Williams

Williams, Arthur C.
Arthur Collins Williams of Fairfield, Connecticut and Landgrove, Vermont died peacefully at home on Sept. 28. Mr. Williams was born in Bridgeport, CT on September 26, 1921 to Charles Gallup Williams, of Hartford, CT, and Lilian Burdett Sills Williams, of Mount Vernon, NY. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Mary Helen Mitchell Williams, his parents, his brothers, John Gallup Williams and Charles Gallup Williams, Jr., and his sister, Justine Hawley Carlton.
He is survived by his four children, Katherine Williams Krents of Bethesda, MD, Charles Gallup Williams (Jacqueline Wygant) of Portland, OR, Arthur "Bill" Collins Williams, Jr. of Fairfield, and Douglas Kenyon Williams (Deidre Klein Williams) of Easton. He also is survived by seven grandchildren, James Eliot Krents (Lisa Ventry) of Brooklyn, NY, William Lawrence Krents (Ali DiMatteo) of Washington, DC, Michael Justin Krents of Silver Spring, MD, Laurel Wygant Williams (Carl Kloos) of Pasadena, CA, Kendra Justine Williams of Yakima, WA, Rachel Lilian Williams and Caroline Elizabeth Williams, both of Easton, and two great grandchildren, Charles Bon Krents and Nina Sophia Krents.
Mr. Williams was educated in Fairfield schools and graduated from Phillips Academy, Andover MA in 1939, Yale College in 1946 (Class of 1943) and Yale Law School in 1948. His college years were interrupted 1942-45 for service in World War II as a U.S. Marine Corps pilot, flying the famous Chance Vought Corsair made in Stratford (CT). He served with Marine Fighter Squadron VMF 322 in the Pacific Theatre and was awarded the Air Medal with two gold stars for missions in the Battle of Okinawa and retired from the Marine Corps Reserve with the rank of Major. Because of his military service and his golf successes, he enjoyed a life-long nickname, "Ace."
Mr. Williams was admitted to the Connecticut Bar in 1948 and subsequently the federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Tax Court. He practiced law in Bridgeport until 1973, then moved his practice to Fairfield, concentrating on Probate Law, Estate planning and settlements. In 1995 he formed the Southport (CT) firm of Willams and Hawley with James M. Hawley, from which he retired in 2012.
Throughout his career Mr. Williams actively participated in civic and community affairs. He served one term on the Fairfield Zoning Board of Appeals, two terms in the Fairfield Republican Town Committee, and four terms on the Fairfield Ethics Commission (one term as Chairman). He served as President of the Fairfield Young Republican Club, President of the Yale Club of Eastern Fairfield County, Counsel to the Junior Achievement of Southwestern Fairfield County, President of the Connecticut Zoological Society (during which term he conducted fund raising to finance construction of an outdoor enclosure for the Zoo's Siberian Tigers, Kim and Betty), Board member of the Fairfield Branch of the American Red Cross and the Bridgeport Visiting Nurses Association, and was Director, Vice President and President of the Fairfield Historical Society.
A longtime member of the United Congregational Church of Bridgeport, Mr. Williams served on various boards and committees, including the Board of Trustees (twice as Chairman) and Board of Deacons, of which he became Chairman and Life Deacon.
A dedicated and enthusiastic golfer since the age of nine, Mr. Williams never lost his interest in the game, especially competitive golf. He served on the Executive Committee of the Connecticut State Golf Association for more than forty years and as President 1981-2. In 1965 he authored an Amicus Curiae brief in the case of Rolling Hills v. Town of Wilton, which persuaded the Connecticut Supreme Court to establish "open space" tax assessment of Connecticut golf courses. His major golfing achievements included: Connecticut State Junior Championships in 1938 and 1939; the New Jersey Junior Championship in 1941: four Brooklawn Country Club Championships and two Senior Club Championships; two Greater Bridgeport District Championships; finalist in the 1956 Connecticut State Amateur Championship; qualified twice for the National Intercollegiate Championship and three times for the U.S. National Amateur; Captain of the Yale Golf Team which in 1942 won the EAC Championship. In 1980, he was elected to membership in the Connecticut State Seniors Golf Association and in 1987 to membership in the United States Seniors' Golf Association and was able to enjoy many of their competitive events for Seniors. In 2011 Mr. Williams was inducted into the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame.
Mr. Williams was a member of Brooklawn Country Club and Fairfield Beach Club, and Ekwanok Country Club, Manchester, Vermont.
The family would like to express its gratitude to Nuha Musallam for her extraordinary and loving caregiving.
A memorial service will be held at the United Congregational Church, 877 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604 at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2013. A reception will follow at Brooklawn Country Club. In lieu of flowers, Mr. Williams requested that memorial contributions may be directed to the United Congregational Church for its outreach programs or to The William (Widdy) Neale Scholarship Fund, Inc., c/o Connecticut State Golf Association, 35 Cold Spring Road, Suite 212, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. To send condolences please visit www.redgatehennesy.com