David John Williams

1942 - 2025

WILLIAMS - David John Williams of East Haddam, Conn., and Boca Grande, Fla., passed away on November 2, 2025, after a courageous battle with metastasized melanoma. David was born on July 4, 1942, in Danville, Ill., to parents Harry and Winifred Williams. The family, which also included elder siblings Susan Byron, Sarah Goellner, Caroline Loysen, William Williams and younger sibling Winifred Weldon, moved during David's youth from Rochester, N.Y., to Cleveland, Ohio, and later New York City.

He spent three happy years in high school at Hebron Academy in Western Maine, where he cemented a deep love for the outdoors. After a post-graduate year at Collegiate School in New York City, he obtained a bachelor's degree in art history from Yale University in 1965 and an MBA from Harvard University in 1973.

David, along with his young bride and oldest two children, was stationed for four years in Okinawa, Japan, during the Vietnam War, where he was a United States Navy helicopter pilot. He retired from the Naval Reserves after serving as a commander for 20 years.

Professionally known as a "value guy," David loved working in the world of investments. He commenced his career as a portfolio manager at T. Rowe Price in Baltimore, Md., and quickly advanced as a fund manager for U.S. Trust's Excelsior Value and Restructuring Fund in New York City.

His philanthropic interests rested on education and conservation. David volunteered much of his time as a class agent, reunion chair and board of trustee member for Hebron Academy, offering sage advice on the school's endowment. He also was a steadfast supporter of the East Haddam Land Trust, providing public hiking trails on newly-conserved land near his home.

Family was extremely important to David, as were his hobbies: mountain climbing, marathon running, golfing, swimming and traveling. He also loved playing bridge with friends and family. In his later years, a slow walk in the woods with family or his beloved dog, Ollie, always brought David immense joy.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Stephanie, and their four boys, Samuel, David, John and Nicholas, as well as three daughters-in-law and 10 grandchildren who he loved dearly. A family burial will occur on Block Island, R.I., on November 12, 2025, and a celebration of his life will be held there in June 2026. David will truly be missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to Hebron Academy (hebronacademy.org) or the East Haddam Land Trust (ehlt.org).