Dr. Thomas Nihl Williams

Dr. Thomas Nihl Williams passed away on September 10, 2022 at the age of 79, following a short illness. He was born on January 9, 1943 in Muleshoe, Texas, a fact of which he was very proud. As an infant his family moved to Farwell, Texas where he grew up.

Tom attended Farwell schools from first grade to his graduation in 1961. He did his undergraduate work at Texas Technological College (now Texas Tech University) in Lubbock, Texas, and received his medical training at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, Texas. He obtained his M.D. degree in 1969, and stayed at UTMB to obtain his board certifications in Internal Medicine and Cardiology.

Tom married his high school sweetheart, Janice Prince, while both were students at Texas Tech. Their children, Scott and Laura, were both born in Galveston.

While in medical school, Tom served as a medical officer for the Texas Army National Guard unit in Galveston. For several summers his unit attended summer camp at Ft. Chaffee, near Ft. Smith, Arkansas, and Tom fell in love with the area. As a result, in 1974, after completing his medical training, Tom and Janice moved their family to Ft. Smith.

Tom spent his entire medical career of 48 years in service to Ft. Smith. He was still practicing medicine there at the age of 79, just prior to his final illness. Tom was in the Cardiology department of the Holt-Krok Clinic which was later merged with Sparks Regional Medical Center which became part of the Baptist Health System in 2018. In 1997 Tom was named by his peers as one of the best 100 doctors in Arkansas.

Tom was a life-long lover of sports, baseball in particular. His favorite team was the Chicago Cubs and he took many trips to Chicago with family and friends to attend games. He was also an avid reader and gardener and enjoyed working on crossword puzzles and sudoku. Anyone who knew Tom well also knew of his love of a good joke. He had a joke for every occasion and was a master storyteller.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin (Jack) and Ella Ruth (Dumbauld) Williams. He is survived by his former wife Janice and their children, Scott Williams (Tammy) of Ft. Smith, Laura Keyes (Tim) of Austin, Texas and grandchildren Jack and Lilly Williams of Ft. Smith and Caroline and Will Keyes of Austin.

He is also survived by former wife Kim Williams of Little Rock, brothers Bert (Wanda) and Dick Williams of Houston, Texas, sister Sharon (Israel) Armendariz of Manor, Texas and many nieces and nephews.