1924
Rodney
2013
Rodney Williams
June 8, 1924 — March 12, 2013
Rodney Stark Williams, 87, passed away March 12, 2013. A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date at Westminster Church in Wooster. Interment has taken place in Forest Cemetery in Circleville. Online tributes may be made at www.robertsfuneralhome.com.
Rodney was born June 8, 1924 in New Athens, Ohio to Frederick Stark and Mary (Enlow) Williams.
After graduation from New Athens High School in 1942, Rod enlisted in the army, but completed his freshman year at the College of Wooster before entry into active service in 1943. After basic training and specialty training in communications he was deployed to North Africa and from there to Italy, Southern France and the Rhineland. His European-African-Middle Eastern service medals included five bronze stars and a bronze arrowhead. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal to his discharge in 1945.
Rod returned to the College of Wooster and graduated in 1948. He attended the New York School of Modern Photography and upon completion became an assistant to a Life magazine photographer. He left that position to become a free-lance photographer in Wooster and was recruited as a photographer by the college admissions department. This led to a staff position with the admissions department and began his long career with The College of Wooster.
Rod traveled widely as an Admissions Counselor, visiting high schools to recruit students. In 1967, College of Wooster President, Dr. Howard Lowry requested Rod to become Secretary of the College and the Board of Trustees, a position he held for 11 years, at which time President J. Garber Drushal named Rod to develop a Department of Publications. Additionally, Rod was editor of the Alumni Bulletin from 1971-1985. He remained director of publications until his retirement in 1999.
Rod was a member of the Westminister Presbyterian Church for 58 years, serving as an elder. His appreciation of earth's beauty and his desire to conserve it for others to share, led him to a continuing participation in the activities of the Nature Conservancy and Earthjustice. He belonged to the Phi Beta Kappa Society.
Rod is survived by his sister, Sylvia (Alfred) Johnson, nephews Stephen (Teresa) Johnson all of Williamsport; Frederick (Judy) Williams, Washington; Glenn Williams and Bruce (Meg) Williams, all of New York; niece Barbara (Tim) Frantz of California; his grandnieces Greta (Eric) Bowman, Grove City; Sarah and Emma Johnson, Williamsport; Lize and Julianna Williams, Washington; Charissa, Katrin and Eliya Frantz of California.
His brother and sister-in-law Frederick and Nancy Williams preceded him in death.
Rodney was born June 8, 1924 in New Athens, Ohio to Frederick Stark and Mary (Enlow) Williams.
After graduation from New Athens High School in 1942, Rod enlisted in the army, but completed his freshman year at the College of Wooster before entry into active service in 1943. After basic training and specialty training in communications he was deployed to North Africa and from there to Italy, Southern France and the Rhineland. His European-African-Middle Eastern service medals included five bronze stars and a bronze arrowhead. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal to his discharge in 1945.
Rod returned to the College of Wooster and graduated in 1948. He attended the New York School of Modern Photography and upon completion became an assistant to a Life magazine photographer. He left that position to become a free-lance photographer in Wooster and was recruited as a photographer by the college admissions department. This led to a staff position with the admissions department and began his long career with The College of Wooster.
Rod traveled widely as an Admissions Counselor, visiting high schools to recruit students. In 1967, College of Wooster President, Dr. Howard Lowry requested Rod to become Secretary of the College and the Board of Trustees, a position he held for 11 years, at which time President J. Garber Drushal named Rod to develop a Department of Publications. Additionally, Rod was editor of the Alumni Bulletin from 1971-1985. He remained director of publications until his retirement in 1999.
Rod was a member of the Westminister Presbyterian Church for 58 years, serving as an elder. His appreciation of earth's beauty and his desire to conserve it for others to share, led him to a continuing participation in the activities of the Nature Conservancy and Earthjustice. He belonged to the Phi Beta Kappa Society.
Rod is survived by his sister, Sylvia (Alfred) Johnson, nephews Stephen (Teresa) Johnson all of Williamsport; Frederick (Judy) Williams, Washington; Glenn Williams and Bruce (Meg) Williams, all of New York; niece Barbara (Tim) Frantz of California; his grandnieces Greta (Eric) Bowman, Grove City; Sarah and Emma Johnson, Williamsport; Lize and Julianna Williams, Washington; Charissa, Katrin and Eliya Frantz of California.
His brother and sister-in-law Frederick and Nancy Williams preceded him in death.
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