George Carr Williams, Jr.

George Carr Williams, Jr. ,94, died at home on January 30, 2023. He was born in 1928 in Oak Park, Illinois; the only child of George Carr Williams and Marjorie Chulip. He grew up in the Cleveland area and graduated from Rocky River High School in 1946. In 1950 he married his childhood sweetheart, Dorothy. He graduated from Ohio State University in 1951 with a BS and MS in engineering and was a member of Sigma Chi and Tau Beta Pi. He worked for U.S. Steel, American Steel and Wire Division; the management consulting firm Robert Heller & Associates; and H.K. Porter Co. in Pittsburgh, PA as general manager of the Hardware and Industrial Products Division. In 1965 he joined Nicholson File Co. in Providence, R.I. as the VP of Operations and member of the Board of Directors. He became President in 1969.

Nicholson File became subject to a hostile takeover, a rare event in 1973. As the new owners established themselves, it fell to him to help his colleagues make transitions–a task he did with considerable empathy and honor.

The family moved from Barrington, RI to Tampa, FL in 1974 when he invested in local businesses. For years he was a part owner of Vulcan Machine with his son, Jim Williams. In retirement he and Dottie especially enjoyed their global travels and hosting friends and family at their condo on Longboat Key.

He served as an elder and clerk of session at both Barrington Presbyterian Church, in Barrington, RI and Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church in Tampa, FL. He served as Trustee of Roger Williams College in Bristol, RI and as Founder of Citizens Bank of Providence, RI. He was also President of the Barrington Chapter of AFS (American Field Service) and hosted exchange student Yasuhiro Kamikura from Tokyo, Japan with whom the family has maintained strong ties since 1969.

He is survived by Dorothy, his wife of over 72 years; son Jeffrey Carr Williams of Davis, CA and his wife Diana Strazdes; daughter Judith Williams of Tampa, FL; daughter Jan Williams Banker of Tampa, FL and her husband David Banker; and son Jim Williams of Tampa, FL and his wife Mary Jo Williams.

He is survived by his grandchildren: Anthony Ricci and his wife Jennifer; Molly Ricci; Whitney Banker Jackson and her husband Matt Jackson; Mackenzie Banker; Kelsey Banker; Courtney Banker; Blake Williams; Lauren Williams; and great grandchildren Micah and Catalina.

A memorial service will be held 10:30 am Friday, February 17, 2023 at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church, 3501 San Jose Street, Tampa, FL with the Rev. John DeBevoise and the Rev. Jan Williams Banker officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church.