James Williams

James Lee Williams Jr. NORFOLK - James Lee Williams Jr., 88, architect and businessman, died Jan. 14, 2008, at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C., after a brief illness. Mr. Williams was a founder and president of Williams and Tazewell & Associates Inc., one of Hampton Roads' preeminent architectural firms. He was born in Portsmouth to James Lee Williams Sr. and Rozzie Wilson Williams May 27, 1919. He attended public schools, graduating from Maury High School in 1937. After working briefly for a local architectural firm, he was employed as a naval architect at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard and later with the Panama Canal. During this period, he continued his education at the Norfolk Division of William and Mary (now Old Dominion University). In 1944, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served as a radar electronics technician in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Following his service in the war, he entered the University of Virginia School of Architecture, earning his BS in architecture in 1949. While in school, he was member of Scarab, the national honorary architectural fraternity, and later served as its treasurer. In 1953, he founded Williams and Tazewell, Architects with his friend and classmate, E. Bradford Tazewell Jr. From 1953 until his retirement in 1991, Mr. Williams served as president of the firm. Over this period, the firm distinguished itself with numerous awards and prestigious commissions. Among the projects for which Williams and Tazewell won Virginia AIA Honor Awards were Scope/Cultural and Convention Center and Chrysler Hall at Scope, Norfolk Academy and additions to the Chrysler Museum at Norfolk. Similar awards were given for Hummel Field at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Va., the Mutual Federal Savings and Loan Home Office, Dominion National Bank, the Administration and Arts and Letters buildings at Old Dominion University, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Administration Building and Tidewater Park Elementary School. Mr. Williams returned to his alma mater for several important architectural commissions, including the Health Sciences Library, the Observatory Hill Dining Facility, the Nursing Student Residence Hall and additions to Scott Stadium. Local buildings of note designed by Williams and Tazewell include the Virginia National Bank (now Bank of America) building, the library, education building and engineering buildings at Old Dominion University, Sentara Leigh Hospital, the Commercial Place Pedestrian Way, Norfolk Yacht and Country Club and the Cedar Point Club. A member of the Wards Corner Lion's Club, Mr. Williams served as its president from 1969 to 1970. He was an active member of the American Institute of Architects and served as president of the Tidewater Chapter as well as on local and national committees. He was a deacon in both Park Place Baptist Church and Talbot Park Baptist Church. Mr. Williams was a member of the Dean's Forum of the University of Virginia School of Architecture for 17 years and a member of the Thomas Jefferson Society. He was also a Mason in George W. Wright Lodge Number 346. Survivors include Sara Black Williams, his wife of 62 years, who currently resides in Chevy Chase, Md.; a daughter, Sally Williams Gresham and her husband Stephen W. Gresham of Washington, D.C.; and a grandson, Christopher Thomas Williams Gresham, also of Washington, D.C. A funeral will be held today at 2 p.m. in Talbot Park Baptist Church by Dr. Tim Dixon and Dr. Thomas E. Miller Jr. The family will be in the parlor at the church at 1 p.m. Burial will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery immediately following services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the University of Virginia School of Architecture Foundation, Alzheimer's Association or Talbot Park Baptist Church. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments, Norfolk chapel, is handling the arrangements.