George Williams Obituary

George Walton Williams Durham, NC - George Walton Williams was born in Charleston, South Carolina, the son of Ellison Adger Williams and Elizabeth (Simonton) Dillingham Williams on October 10, 1922. He died on February 25, 2022, at the Forest at Duke. He married his devoted wife, Harriet Porcher (Simons) Williams, in 1953. They have three children, George Walton, Ellison Adger and his wife, Evelyn Hart, and Harriet Porcher Stoney Williams and her husband, Peter Askin; and two grandchildren, Elizabeth Simonton Williams, II and Samuel Riley Williams. George was educated in the public schools of Charleston, followed by one year at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Va. before entering Yale University with the class of 1944. His college program was interrupted after his junior year he returned home to await his call for service. After basic training in Texas, he was transferred to the University of Pittsburgh, where he was taught Russian. He was deployed with the 95th Infantry Division, Third Army, in France and Germany. Transferred to the Third Tank Destroyer Group. After the war, he resumed his senior year at Yale, graduating in 1947. Then to graduate school at the University of Virginia 1949-1951 with an M.A. After some years working at the Carolina Savings Bank, a family tradition, he returned to graduate work at Virginia, 1954-57, earning a PhD in Shakespeare Studies. George took a position at Duke University in 1957 as Assistant Professor of English. He was Chair of the Department of English, 1982-86. He served in many ways at the University: Chair of the Undergraduate Council, Secretary of the Faculty Council, Chair of the Educational Facilities Committee. He retired (mandatory) in 1993. He was fortunate to be able to enjoy five sabbatical years, studying at the British Library and living in Blackheath and Greenwich in Southeast London. George's professional specialty was Textual Criticism, and he published many editions of Elizabethan and Jacobean plays as well as many critical articles on literary topics. In addition, he produced five children's books, one for each child and grandchild. Students and colleagues remarked on his wit, charm, and inspirational encouragement in classes, conferences, or simply at the dinner table. When George and Harriet came to Durham, they attended St. Philip's Episcopal Church. They also attended St. Joseph's Church, where George was choir director for almost twenty years. He will also be remembered for being one of the founding members of the Durham Savoyards (along with Patrick Kenan and Richard Watson, among others.) He directed four shows over the years, played a few principal parts and sang stalwartly and repeatedly in the chorus. When their second child was born in 1961, they moved into more spacious digs at #6 Sylvan Rd., where they lived until 1999, when they moved into the retirement community at The Forest at Duke, where he served as one of the editors of The Forester, a monthly journal of local content and interest. George is survived by his wife, Harriet, and all his children and grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: the American Shakespeare Center (in Staunton Virginia) (https://americanshakespearecenter.com/donate/ ) Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston