JOHN WESLEY WILLIAMS
1928 - 2015
JOHN WESLEY WILLIAMS
1928 - 2015
Obituary
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JOHN WILLIAMS Obituary
Of Point Breeze, age 87, passed away peacefully at home, on June 6, 2015. He was born February 25, 1928, in Memphis, TN, only child of Anna C. Williams and Wesley A. Williams. After high school, he served in the Marines for two years. The GI Bill enabled him to attend university, first Duke, then Yale, and finally the University of Michigan, where he obtained a PhD in Art History. In 1955, John met and married Mary Ellen Schmidt, with whom he had six children. In 1960 they moved to Swarthmore, PA, where John taught Medieval Spanish Art History and served as chair of the department; in 1972 they moved to Pittsburgh where John taught in the Fine Arts Department of the University of Pittsburgh for 35 years, serving five years as chair. He was appointed Andrew W. Mellon Professor of History of Art and Architecture from 1997-2000. He was awarded two Fulbright Scholarships, two NEH grants, and a Guggenheim Fellowship, and was elected a Fellow of the Medieval Academy of America in 2008. John is recognized as the leading authority on the 8th-century monk and theologian Beatus of Liébana. His passion for his work and for Spain lasted his lifetime. This passion was matched by his love for his family. Along with camping trips and beach vacations with the kids and grandkids, he held fast to the tradition of a cocktail hour martini. John is survived by his wife of 60 years and six children, Max Williams (Susan Petrella) of Edgewood, Kate Williams Radkoff (Mason Radkoff) of Point Breeze, Sarah Williams (Jose Muniain) of Point Breeze, Cy Williams (Liz Atkins) of Madrid, Spain, Elena Cox of Washington, DC, and Amelia Williams (Don Erb) of Point Breeze; he is also survived by 13 grandchildren. Friends received at McCABE BROS., INC. FUNERAL HOME, 6214 Walnut St., Shadyside on Saturday, June 13, 2015, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held at the Chapel at Homewood Cemetery on Sunday, June 14, 2015, at 2 p.m., followed by a luncheon at the banquet hall adjoining the Chapel at Homewood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to your favorite charity.
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Catherine Brown
August 4, 2015
We have lost a person and a scholar of great human warmth, generosity, and imagination. When I was beginning to study and write about the great illuminated manuscripts of early medieval Spain, John welcomed me, my research, and my most off-base ideas with extraordinary generosity and good cheer. Many scholars can be protective of our little patches of academic turf. Not John. I would not have been able to imagine writing the book I'm writing nowmuch less actually write ithad not John Williams been so generous and welcoming to someone who was to him a total stranger. Thank you, thank you, thank you, John.
Catherine Brown
University of Michigan
June 13, 2015
Our condolences on your loss, Mary and all of the Williams clan. We will see you at the Saturday viewing. We are here for all of you and are thinking of you. Steffi and Larry
June 12, 2015
Our deepest condolences on your great loss. What a scholar and a gentleman! He remains in our prayers.
Linda and Bill G.
June 11, 2015
Dear Family and Friends,
I was one of the most fortunate of graduate students at the University of Pittsburgh. No, I was not one of John's graduate students. As chance would have it, I arrived the fall after John retired and when as a brand new graduate student, I went to find my carrel in the library , I heard a gruff voice from the other side: "Are you a new graduate student?" I said yes, are you new graduate student too?"' The response was a deep laugh, followed by "Why no, I am John Williams, I just retired":
We became fast friends. We liked each others' sense of humour. I took one seminar with John and I much appreciated that. But more than class that I took with him, I loved his friendship and mutual love of jazz. He was always recruiting companions to the jazz bar. May you rest in peace my friend. I will miss you. Love as always, Carolyn y Butler Palmer your best carrell mate ever. And, only you know what that means!
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JOHN COLES
June 11, 2015
Dear Mary Ellen & children,
May I offer you my heartfelt condolences on the loss of your husband and father. Though we never did meet in person, it was always an adventure preparing his taxes for the past 25 years.
May God be with you and yours and know that John now resides with Him more than likely directing his Spanish art and manuscript collection.
Peace be unto you.
Tony Novosel
June 11, 2015
What a GREAT guy! It was my pleasure to know him and indeed the entire Williams' family. My thoughts are with you all!
June 9, 2015
Dear Mary Ellen,
My warm thoughts and my heart are with you at this difficult time!
You've lost your husband, but gained Guardian Angel!
Be strong!!!
Love,
Eva Tumiel-Kozak
(St. Bede choir)
June 9, 2015
We feel so lucky to have met 'Mr. Williams', and enjoy all the stories we've heard about him and his family. We will join in celebrating a life well lived.
- Carol and Cyndy.
June 9, 2015
Dear Family of John Williams,
I was fortunate to know your beloved husband, father, and grandfather when I was a graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh from 1986 to 1992. I remember him most fondly as an stellar intellect and, even more so, as a kind and caring gentleman scholar. I will remember him always for how warmly he welcomed me as a graduate student at a time when such a welcome was most welcome. Yours, Roger Crum, University of Dayton
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