Dr. Howard J Williams Jr.

Dr. Howard J. Williams, Jr. of Macon, GA was born in Harrisburg, PA on October 5, 1923 to parents Mary and Howard J. Williams, Sr. He grew up in Millville, NJ and was an Honor Graduate of the Millville High School. Dr. Williams attended Penn State University earning a B.S. Degree and was a member of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. He graduated from Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA in 1948. He was a member of Phi Rho Sigma Fraternity. He served a one-year rotating internship at Germantown Dispensary and Hospital (an affiliate of Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA). He began his Pediatric Residency at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in 1950 where he was Chief Resident Physician in Pediatrics. During World War II he was a Pharmacist Mate 3rd Class at Portsmouth Naval Operating Base in Portsmouth, VA. He went through Boot Camp and was a member of Masonic National Sojourners, Chapter #4. He served in the Korean War from 1950 to 1952 as Lieutenant Senior Grade, U. S. Naval Reserve Medical Corps where he was Chief of Pediatrics and Family Medicine at U. S. Naval Hospital in Beaufort, SC. On completion of this tour of duty, he returned to Temple University and completed his Pediatric Residence in 1954.

He is a Fellow of American Academy of Pediatrics, Past Chairman of Neonatal Mortality of the Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association member, Georgia Medical Association member. He was a charter member of the Georgia Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics and served as its Vice President in 1970. Dr. Williams was a member of Bibb County Medical Society, Southern Medical Association, American Physicians Practice Association, Macon Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Williams was a specialist in all types of childhood health problems. He was Past Chairman of Pediatric Department of Medical Center of Central Georgia. He served on the Executive Committee of Medical Center of Central Georgia. He taught nurses pediatrics at the three Macon hospitals. He assisted in the mass immunization against polio and was also a leader in immunization of all children against measles, mumps, rubella, as well as, hemophelus influenza infections. He served in the initial phases of Head Start Program, serving in Bibb County Schools as a volunteer in physical exams for sports (football and baseball).

In 1987, he was a charter member of the Children’s Hospital of Central Georgia, charter member of the Society of Children’s Hospital, charter member of Mercer Foundation, Callaway Society Member, Olin H. Weaver Society, volunteer on Children’s Miracle Network. At Mercer he was a member of President’s Club, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Mercer Bear-Backers Association member, and was an Honorary Member of Georgia Sheriff’s Association.

Dr. Williams has been active in Community Service as a charter member of Sidney Lanier Cottage Guild, a sustaining member of Macon Symphony Orchestra, member of Chambers Circle of Macon Symphony Orchestra and member of the Macon Symphony Guild. He was volunteer physician of Georgia Academy for the Blind, served the Macon Rescue Mission, Macon Outreach of Mulberry Ministries, Macon Wesley Glen Ministries and was a member of Idle Hour Golf and Country Club. He served as Trustee of Georgia Industrial Home. He was a member of Stratford Academy Eagles “100” Club, a member of Macon Golden K Kiwanis serving on the Board of Directors. He served as chairman of Youth and Children –“Priority One” and was awarded Outstanding Kiwanian Awards for 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2003.

Dr. Williams was a Red Cross Volunteer and awarded in 1999 and 2004 the Outstanding Chairman Award for Community Service. In 2001 and 2002 he received the “Partner Young” Award for Most Outstanding Volunteer of the Year. Dr. Williams was member of Chairman’s Club of the American Red Cross and Clara Barton Society. In 2004, Dr. Williams as their chairman received the “Kate Shakespeare Memorial” Award in grateful appreciation.

Dr. Williams was an Eagle Scout having served with Troop 19 of Vineville Methodist Church. He was a member of the Board of Review, special physician and counselor for Camp Benjamin Hawkins of Boy Scouts. He was a sustaining member of Boy Scouts of America, member of the National Eagle Scout Association, Golden Eagle Society of Central Georgia Council, a member of Midsummer Arts for Children and member of the Hill and Dale Garden Club. Dr. Williams was an active member of Vineville united Methodist Church serving on the Administrative Board, Day Breakers Choir, Usher, Visiting Shepherd Program and a member and officer of the Mac Anthony Class.

Dr. Williams was a member of Masonic Lodge # 255 of Macon and was awarded the “50 Year Master Mason Award.” He was a member, Thirty-second degree Scottish Rite of Free Masonry, S.J.U.S.A. of the Delcho Consistery of Charleston, SC. He was a member of Al Sihah Temple Shrine, Macon, Scottish-Rite Crippled Children Committee for Scottish rite Hospital, a member of Royal Order of Jesters – Masonic Court # 146, Macon and a member of Grand Masonic Lodge of Georgia.

Dr. Williams was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Tidwell after forty-three years of marriage. He is survived by his children, Mary Linda and the late Dr. Bennett D. Cotten, Jr. of Albany, GA, Carol and Bill Templeton of Atlanta, GA and Dr. Howard J. Williams, III of Atlanta, GA; his grandchildren, Bennett Dixon Cotten, III, Bradford Howard Cotten, Malinda and Jim Hlavenka, Caroline Greenbaum, Kelsey Williams, Marielle Williams, Ansley Williams, and Howard J. Williams, IV.

A Celebration of his Life will be held at 11:00 AM Friday at Vineville United Methodist Church. Burial will be private for family only in Riverside Cemetery. Dr. Jimmy Asbell will officiate. The family will greet friends following the church service and asks that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Vineville United Methodist Church, 2045 Vineville Avenue, Macon, GA 31204; Methodist Home for Children and Youth, 116 Pierce Avenue, Macon, GA 31204; American Red Cross, 195 Holt Avenue, Macon, GA 31201; or charities of your choice.

Visit www.snowsmacon.com to express tributes.

Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Cherry Street, has charge of arrangements.