Graham George Williams

Graham George Williams

Troy- Graham George Williams died unexpectedly May 5, 2006. He was born September 20, 1929 in New London, Connecticut to George and Carolyn Tinker Williams. His wife is Patty (Mary Alice) Ide Williams who he married in 1954. Together they supported, loved, and cared for one another.

His daughters, Wendy Ide Williams (Grindle) of Ravena and Amy Spencer Williams of Troy and his son in law, Allen Grindle survive him, as well as his grandchildren, Sam and Hannah Haight. Sam and Hannah were his shining stars and they gave him the name Poppy. He is also survived by his siblings, Spencer and Sue Williams of Okema, Vermont, Craig Williams of Waterford, Connecticut, and Greer and Michael Crawley of Berks, England. He leaves his in-laws George and Ann Ide, and Kay and Ted Mellor and many nieces and nephews, and God children.

Graham spent his youth in New London where his love for sailing began. He was a proud Eagle Scout and graduated from Chapman Technical Institute. There, he earned his Bachelors and Masters degrees in architecture from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is the president of the class of 1952 and remained a devoted, and enthusiastic alumnus.

He was a lieutenant in the Air Force and served as an architect at Edwards Air Force Base in Edwards, California. He joined the faculty at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and taught for 35 years retiring as Professor Emeritus. Throughout his career, he had an active practice of architecture, designing residential, religious, and educational buildings. Graham has always been an active member of the community. He was instrumental in establishing the Rensselaer County Council for the Arts which is now the Arts Center of the Capital Region, and was a longtime supporter and board member. He was, at one time, the Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals, and a board member of Northeast Health and The Regional Planning Commission. He was currently a board member of the Howard and Bush Foundation. He was a past president of the Forest Lake Association, where he resided each summer, and began the sailing program there which he supported with all his heart. He spent many years sailing at Lake George on the Step Two.

St. John's Episcopal Church of Troy, N.Y. was very important to Graham and Patty. He was a church school teacher, former Warden and member of the Vestry, and worshiped there for 55 years.

A celebration of his life will be Monday, May 8th 2006 at 10:30 am at St. John's Episcopal Church 146 First Street, Troy with Rev. Dr. Harold Carrier, Rector, officiating.

Memorials in his name can be sent to St. John's Episcopal Church, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Department of Architecture or any institutions or organizations that Graham supported. Interment Oakwood Cemetery in Troy.

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