Fred Lee Williams Jr.

Dr. Fred Lee Williams Jr. was born on Nov. 21, 1944, on the family farm near Pollard, Ark. He was the only child of Fred Lee Williams and Georgia Geneva Grissom Williams of Pollard and Piggott. He passed away on May 28, 2014, at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, Ark., with his family and friends at his side. A graduate of Piggott High School, Dr. Williams received a B.S.B.A. from the University of Arkansas and a master's degree and a doctoral degree in higher education administration from the University of Memphis. Dr. Williams held administrative positions at Williams Baptist College in Walnut Ridge, Memphis State University in Memphis, Tenn., NE Arkansas Community College in Blytheville, Ark., Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn., Texas State Technical College in Waco, Texas, and retired in 2004 as president of Amarillo College in Amarillo, Texas, to return to Arkansas. A lifelong Democrat, Fred represented Arkansas as a congressional page and intern during the Kennedy Administration, and maintained an interest and involvement in party politics throughout his life. He was an active member of civic clubs and community organizations in all of the communities in which he lived. An avid reader and learner, donations in his memory may be made to the Fayetteville Public Library at 401 W. Mountain St., in Fayetteville, AR 72701. He leaves two daughters, Elizabeth LeAnn Williams and Emily Catherine Williams of Fayetteville; and their mother, Cathy Smart Williams of Fort Smith. He is survived by an uncle, Carl "Zig" Williams and wife, Barbara, of Mountain Grove, Mo.; an aunt, Ora Dean Sale of Piggott; as well as many cousins and friends. The family received friends at Hoggard and Sons Funeral Home in Piggott, Ark., at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 30. A graveside service will be held at New Hope Cemetery in Pollard, Ark., on Saturday, May 31, at 10 a.m. Dr. Williams' daughters are grateful to the team of doctors, nurses and staff at Washington Regional Medical Center for keeping him with care and comfort in his final days.