EUGENE F. WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS--Eugene F., Jr., former CEO and chairman of St. Louis Union Trust Company and a St. Louis civic leader, passed away at his house in East Hampton, N.Y., on August 7, 2013 at age 90. Mr. Williams is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Evelyn Neidringhaus Williams. He was the devoted father of Rebecca (Loic) deKertanguy, of New York; Eugene III (Jacqueline) Williams, of New York; John (Lacey) Williams, of Los Angeles, CA.; Evelyn (John) McNiff, of Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Edward (Lisa) Williams, of Ross CA; his fifteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He also leaves his sisters, Georgie (Henry) Lewis, of Essex, CT and Marie (Adalbert) von Gontard, of Greenwich, CT; six nephews and nieces; and many friends. Mr. Williams was born in St. Louis, the son of Eugene F. Williams, a prominent banker, and Marie Wight Williams. He attended St. Louis Country Day School and went on to Phillips Academy in Andover, MA and then Yale University. He interrupted his education to join the Army Air Corps, where he trained as a fighter pilot. When the war ended, he returned to Yale, graduating in 1947. Mr. Williams began his 40-year career with St. Louis Union Trust Company in 1947 as an investment officer and subsequently became President, CEO and Chairman of the Board serving in the latter role until his retirement in 1988. He served on the boards of the Olin Corporation, American Airlines, Bristol-Myers Squibb, as well as Emerson Electric, Boatmen's Trust Company, and the John M. Olin Foundation. He assumed the leadership of NILO Plantation in Albany, GA in 1982. He served as chairman of the board of his family's cattle ranch in Texas and Oklahoma, Pitchfork Land and Cattle Company. In 2002, he was awarded the highest honor from the National Ranching Heritage Association. Mr. Williams' civic contributions include serving as Board Chair of St. Lukes Hospital, Blue Cross Blue Shield, St. Louis Country Day School, and St. Louis Municipal Opera (Muny). He served on the board of St. Louis University. He was actively involved in the founding of Washington University's John M. Olin School of Business. His philanthropy included leadership support of the United Way, the St. Louis Art Museum, the St. Louis Symphony, and the Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation, as well as establishing scholarship funds at St. Louis University and St. Luke's Hospital. In addition, he endowed a chair at the Yale University School of Management to teach market economics. He was a beloved husband, father and friend and will be remembered for his warmth, compassion and humility. There will be a memorial service in St. Louis in late September. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation, St. Louis, MO.