Frederick Williams: Historian, leading scholar, former MSU administrator dies
Williams’ passion for American history led to the publication of a four-volume study: The Diary of James A. Garfield. Co-edited with former MSU history professor emeritus Harry J. Brown, the series was published between 1967 and 1982. The Garfield diaries provided historians with an unparalleled look at the era and have become the definitive standard for studies of that president.
He was also an expert on Michigan soldiers during the Civil War and wrote the book, Michigan Soldiers of the Civil War, now in its fifth edition.
Williams joined the MSU faculty in 1954 as an assistant professor of history. He was promoted to associate professor in 1960 and to full professor in 1968.
Williams served as chairperson of the Department of History from 1982-87. Prior to being named chairperson, Williams served as the Faculty Grievance Officer in the MSU President’s Office from 1980-82.
“Fred Williams was the epitome of the teacher-scholar,” said MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon. “His passion for his discipline — and for MSU — extended from the classroom to the governance system to far beyond the campus.”
In 1970, Williams was appointed a member of the U.S. Army Advisory Panel on ROTC Affairs by then-Secretary of the U.S. Army Stanley R. Resor. On campus, Williams taught military history of the United States for more than 27 years – student appreciation for his teaching was illustrated by the fact that more than half of his students were not in the ROTC program. When he retired from MSU, Williams was awarded the U.S. Army’s Outstanding Civilian Service Award.
Williams received the MSU Distinguished Faculty Award, the Graduate Award in History and the ROTC Distinguished Service Award. He was a leader in academic governance at MSU, chairing university committees such as Faculty Affairs and Student Affairs.
“Fred Williams was a true giant of a Spartan,” said Gordon Guyer, President Emeritus of MSU. “He was an outstanding teacher, scholar and public servant in the true land-grant tradition. I always thought he was one of the best teacher-scholars of the John Hannah era (1941-1969) at MSU.”
“Dr. Williams was a skilled writer, but first and foremost he was an exceptional teacher,” said Roger Rosentreter, editor of “Michigan History,” adjunct faculty member of the MSU Department of History and a former Williams’ doctoral student. “Historians are most successful when telling stories. Professor Williams possessed the ability to tell stories in an engaging way, while at the same time helping his students understand the importance of history.”
Williams was born on May 13, 1918. He held a Ph.D. from Indiana University (1953), and bachelor’s and master’s degrees (1947 and 1948) from Middlebury College and the University of Connecticut, respectively. He was a native of Braintree, Vt., who served in World War II as an instructor pilot and flew combat as a B-24 pilot in the European Theater. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Florence; his children Sandi Baker, Craig (Rita) Williams, Jill (Gary) Masters and Kathy (Sam) Engardio; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 30, at 4 p.m. at People’s Church, 200 East Grand River Ave., in East Lansing. The Rev. Dr. Harry H. Johnson, will officiate. A reception for family and friends will follow the service. Interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery.