P. Tennyson Williams

1925 - 2021

Williams, P. Tennyson
1925 - 2021
January 13, 2021, at 96 years old and after a vibrant life and career as a family doctor, husband, and father, Paul Tennyson Williams passed from his assignment here on earth to a new one in heaven. Born January 11, 1925, Paul Tennyson, known his whole life as "Tenny," was born to 2 high school teachers, H. Dana and Kathryn Williams, in Hillsboro, Ohio. His father would later farm polled herefords and seed corn, where Tenny finished out his schooling. It was in 7th grade, at the inspiration of his 7th grade science teacher, that he decided he wanted to be a doctor of medicine. After graduating from Wilmington High School, he entered Western Reserve University to pursue his pre-med education. Military service in the army interrupted that plan briefly and he was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy, attending for one year before he returned to Western Reserve, graduating from medical school in 1951. In the midst of his education, he married Marianna Hamilton in 1947. Her special visits to see him at the Naval Academy, led to this special union of souls. After a hospital internship in 1952, Tenny began his private family practice in Delaware, Ohio. He became a beloved family physician to many, including football team physician to Delaware Hayes High school. You could spot him on the sideline in his red sport cap! He was an active community leader in Delaware, Jay-cees being one of many civic activities. In 1974 Dr. Williams was appointed as the first professor and chair of the Department of Family Medicine at The Ohio State University, and as a result, initiated the Family Medicine Residency Program, making it the first university-based residency program in the state. He continued at OSU, retiring in 1997, changing his lifelong learning from medicine to photography, a hobby he discovered in 1944 and continued to cultivate throughout his life. He especially enjoyed creating radiographic images using an x-ray machine, and was prolific in photographing flowers, zoo animals, architecture, and people locally and word wide, from his extensive travels. His work was displayed in many exhibits and galleries throughout the Columbus area. His other passion was jazz, going to jazz groups, listening, and taking photos of jazz players and singers. His family and friends remember the twinkle in his eye and that ornery grin, indicating he either had something up his sleeve or a funny comment to make. His wit and wisdom followed him throughout each season of his life. His medical career impacted the fabric of primary care medicine. As a husband and Dad he has impacted 3 generations. "Mistakes are learning opportunities," Tenny Williams. He leaves a lasting legacy to his 4 surviving children, Tracey Parrott of Savannah Georgia, Shelle Lindholm, of Kalispell, Montana, Dayna Serna, of Layton, Utah, and Matthew Tennyson of Ostrander, Ohio. His 10 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren are blessed to have known such a wonderful Grandpa. Also surviving are brother and sister- in-law, Donald and Barbara Williams of Eatonton, Georgia. His wife, Nancy, will miss the loving companionship they enjoyed for the last 6 years. He is preceded in death by H Dana and Kathryn Williams, Marianna Williams, his sister, Emily Hoover, brother- in- law, Harry Hoover, and his second wife, Ann. A celebration of life will be planned for a future date. Donations in honor of Dr. Tennyson Williams may be made to: Alzheimer's Research & Prevention Foundation or The Stephanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research. Care entrusted to SCHOEDINGER FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICE, Worthington.