William M.B. Williams

William (“Bill”) was born on May 1, 1916 in Cape Charles, Virginia, the son of the late Judge W. F. D. Williams and Lilbourne Bland Williams. He received his B.S. Degree in Chemical Engineering from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute (“Virginia Tech”) in 1937 and was a Registered Professional Engineer in Virginia and Texas. Between December 1942 and September 1945, he served in the U.S. Army in five campaigns of the European Theatre during World War II, including Northern Africa, Sicily, Italy, Southern France and Germany, and retired in 1961 as a Captain. Following his active duty in the army, Bill worked as a chemical engineer for the Norfolk & Western Railway Co. and American Viscose Corp. Between 1958 and 1970, Bill worked as part of America’s Space Program first at Thiokol Chemical Corp. during the Mercury and Gemini spacecraft missions and then at The Boeing Co. for the Apollo spacecraft and lunar missions. He concluded his working career as a Water Quality Engineer for the City of Houston where he retired in 1984. Bill lived in Houston, TX for 38 years before moving to Austin, TX to live near his son and daughter-in-law for the last 4 years of his life. The family would like to express special thanks and gratitude to caregivers Anna Calloway and Janie Estrada for their long time care of, and demonstration of love for, Bill.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife, Evangeline K. Williams and survived by two sons, Roderick B. Williams and his wife Betty Jo of Austin, TX and Glenn S. Williams and his wife Patricia of Magnolia, TX, two grandsons, Scott A. Williams and his wife Jennifer of Billings, MT and Roderick B. Williams II and his wife Victoria of Dallas, TX, a granddaughter, Nancy E. Bean and her husband Gregg of San Antonio, TX, and four great grandsons, Bryson and Brock Williams, Andrew William Bean, and Roderick Williams III.

A service celebrating Bills wonderful life will be Monday, October 31, 2011 in the chapel of Memorial Oaks Funeral Home at three O’clock in the afternoon with Rev. Morris Matthis officiating. Concluding service, Bill will be entombed in Chapel of the Oaks Mausoleum at Memorial Oaks Cemetery to rejoin his wife Evangeline.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions in Bills honor to M.D. Anderson, Houston, Texas.