Ray Robinson Williams, Jr.

Ray Robinson Williams, Jr., departed this life for heaven on August 30, 2022. Born in Greenville, South Carolina, March 22, 1941, Ray was the son of Genevieve Groom Williams and Ray R. Williams, Sr. His first wife was the late Martha Garrison Williams. For the last twelve years he has been married to Kay Newsom Williams, always “Katharine” to Ray.

Ray was a graduate of Greenville High, Furman University, and the University of South Carolina School of Law. He attended Georgetown University in Washington D.C. Then, as Captain Williams, U.S. Army, he served in the Pentagon during the Vietnam War.

Returning to Greenville in 1969, Ray joined Williams and Henry Law Firm where he practiced for 37 years. In 1980, Ray was voted an A-V rating, the top grade, by Martindale-Hubbell, a rating agency of practicing attorneys who award the honor to one of their colleagues. Ray also earned admittance to practice law in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Ray was a member of the South Carolina Bar Association, Westminster Presbyterian Church, La Chaine des Rotisseurs, and the Poinsett Club. He served on the Board of the Greenville Literacy Association and the Greenville Symphony.

A lifetime hobby of Ray’s was listening to music especially classical and jazz both of which complemented his deep insight into human nature, subtle sense of humor, and calm demeanor, a true Gentleman.

He also loved collecting art with impressionism being his favorite, a love enhanced by many trips to Paris to see where it all began.

Surviving Ray are his wife Katharine; son Ray Robinson Williams III; wife Liz, grandchildren Margaret Garrison Williams and Asa Richard Williams of Chelsea, Vermont; and stepdaughter Katharine Fortson Ralston of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

Our family extends much gratitude to all our loyal friends who have expressed their concern and love during Ray’s illness with special thanks going to Harry Peden, Bernice, Rosemarie, Ethel, Pat, and all the caring staff at Brushy Creek Cottages.

Memorials may be made to the Scholarship Fund of Westminster Presbyterian Church at 2310 Augusta Street, Greenville, SC 29605.

The memorial service will be at Westminster Presbyterian Church Friday, September 9, 2022 at 4:00 PM. A reception will follow at the Poinsett Club, 807 East Washington Street.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mackeywoodlawn.com for the Williams family.