Obituary for Henry Ward Williams Jr.
Henry Ward Williams, Jr.
Scottsville - died peacefully at home in Scottsville, surrounded by family, November 29, 2021. He was 91.
Henry loved people and he loved life. Especially, he loved his family.
A 1952 Dartmouth College graduate, he served as a US Navy navigator and executive officer from 1952 to 1955 before attending University of Virginia Law School where he was a member of the Order of the Coif, Raven Society and Omicrom Delta Kappa. He was also executive editor of the UVA Law Review. A member of the Monroe County and New York State Bar Associations, plus Genesee Valley Trial Lawyers, Henry began work at Harris Beach, before ultimately opening Williams Law Offices. In his later years in Scottsville, he was fond of saying he practiced "village law." He enjoyed occasionally sitting as judge in small claims court.
A passionate citizen, Henry encouraged anyone and everyone to vote. An avid Republican, he served in the first Monroe County Legislature, 1967 to 1973, and as Majority Leader 1970 to 1973. He chaired the Greater Rochester Inter-Government Panel and the Genesee-Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council. He was a dedicated member of Wheatland's Town Board.
Henry was extremely proud of his role in founding GEVA theater. He was President of its first board. He helped organize Valley Manor, and served as Board President and legal counsel.He was also Board President of the Landmark and the Seneca Zoo Societies.
Henry began sailing at age 10 and never stopped. He raced in Newport to Bermuda classics, as well as LYRA, Levels, Chicago-Mackinaw, and Friday Fish Fries at the Rochester Yacht Club,where he was a member for 60 years. A fifty-year member of the Great Lakes Cruising Club, he earned their Admiral Byfield Award for sailing each of the Great Lakes, was GLCC's Rochester port captain and a Commodore of the Lake Yacht Racing Association. Last summer, he raced his Niagara 35, Walter Mitty, the last in a long line of sailboats.Crew members, who nicknamed him "Bly," became family. Many credit him for seamanship as well as life skills.
Henry first skied as a boy in Montreal, and later encouraged his daughters to make it a family sport. He was a founding member of Hunt Hollow Ski Club, a ski patroller, and ski patrol director. He also served the Eastern Division of US Ski Patrol as legal counsel, and was awarded a national number. The Hunt Hollow Ski Patrol Building is named in his honor.
A proud descendant of western New York pioneer stock, he was the son of Henry Ward Williams MD and Margaret Elizabeth Simpson, both of Rochester. Predeceased by brother James Williams MD and sons-in-law Christopher Linares and Thom Rivait.
He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Barbara Dimmick; and by daughters Edie Linares; Margaret (Rudy) Warren; Sarah (Jay) Newton; Ann (Bill) Treacy; Lancey (Matthew) Gandy; Victoria (Jonathan) Cedar. His 14 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren called him "Graca."
Henry's "other family" was the parish of Grace Episcopal Church. He sang in the choir with great joy.
Funeral Services for family and parish were held at Grace Church with burial at Mount Hope. A Celebration of Life is planned for Summer 2022. Memorials may be sent to Grace Episcopal Church, 7 Browns Avenue, Scottsville NY 14546. Arrangements J.H. Cameron Funeral Home
Scottsville - died peacefully at home in Scottsville, surrounded by family, November 29, 2021. He was 91.
Henry loved people and he loved life. Especially, he loved his family.
A 1952 Dartmouth College graduate, he served as a US Navy navigator and executive officer from 1952 to 1955 before attending University of Virginia Law School where he was a member of the Order of the Coif, Raven Society and Omicrom Delta Kappa. He was also executive editor of the UVA Law Review. A member of the Monroe County and New York State Bar Associations, plus Genesee Valley Trial Lawyers, Henry began work at Harris Beach, before ultimately opening Williams Law Offices. In his later years in Scottsville, he was fond of saying he practiced "village law." He enjoyed occasionally sitting as judge in small claims court.
A passionate citizen, Henry encouraged anyone and everyone to vote. An avid Republican, he served in the first Monroe County Legislature, 1967 to 1973, and as Majority Leader 1970 to 1973. He chaired the Greater Rochester Inter-Government Panel and the Genesee-Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council. He was a dedicated member of Wheatland's Town Board.
Henry was extremely proud of his role in founding GEVA theater. He was President of its first board. He helped organize Valley Manor, and served as Board President and legal counsel.He was also Board President of the Landmark and the Seneca Zoo Societies.
Henry began sailing at age 10 and never stopped. He raced in Newport to Bermuda classics, as well as LYRA, Levels, Chicago-Mackinaw, and Friday Fish Fries at the Rochester Yacht Club,where he was a member for 60 years. A fifty-year member of the Great Lakes Cruising Club, he earned their Admiral Byfield Award for sailing each of the Great Lakes, was GLCC's Rochester port captain and a Commodore of the Lake Yacht Racing Association. Last summer, he raced his Niagara 35, Walter Mitty, the last in a long line of sailboats.Crew members, who nicknamed him "Bly," became family. Many credit him for seamanship as well as life skills.
Henry first skied as a boy in Montreal, and later encouraged his daughters to make it a family sport. He was a founding member of Hunt Hollow Ski Club, a ski patroller, and ski patrol director. He also served the Eastern Division of US Ski Patrol as legal counsel, and was awarded a national number. The Hunt Hollow Ski Patrol Building is named in his honor.
A proud descendant of western New York pioneer stock, he was the son of Henry Ward Williams MD and Margaret Elizabeth Simpson, both of Rochester. Predeceased by brother James Williams MD and sons-in-law Christopher Linares and Thom Rivait.
He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Barbara Dimmick; and by daughters Edie Linares; Margaret (Rudy) Warren; Sarah (Jay) Newton; Ann (Bill) Treacy; Lancey (Matthew) Gandy; Victoria (Jonathan) Cedar. His 14 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren called him "Graca."
Henry's "other family" was the parish of Grace Episcopal Church. He sang in the choir with great joy.
Funeral Services for family and parish were held at Grace Church with burial at Mount Hope. A Celebration of Life is planned for Summer 2022. Memorials may be sent to Grace Episcopal Church, 7 Browns Avenue, Scottsville NY 14546. Arrangements J.H. Cameron Funeral Home