Edgar G. Williams

Edgar G. Williams of Bloomington passed away at Meadowood Health Pavilion on Monday, November 12, at the age of 90. Born on May 4, 1922, in Poseyville, Indiana, Williams was the son of Noley Wesley Williams and Anna Lena (Wilsey) Williams, both of whom preceded him in death. He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Joyce (Grigsby) Williams and his devoted children, Cynthia Moorhead and Thomas Williams and his wife Mia (Pozzatti) Williams, all of Bloomington, and two loving grandchildren, Meghan (Joshua) Wolfe of Louisville and Jaimee Williams of Denver. Williams and Joyce, his childhood sweetheart, were married in 1944. Both attended Evansville College. After leaving active duty as a member of the U.S. Army Medical Corps, where he attained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, he completed his BA in economics/political science in 1947. Afterward, the two moved to Bloomington, to complete graduate work at Indiana University, where Williams also completed a doctoral degree in business administration, was quickly selected as a faculty member, and soon became a professor of management. When Williams was appointed chair of the department of personnel and organizational behavior in the School of Business, he began a career in academic administration that would last almost three decades – through six presidents, Wells, Stahr, Sutton, Ryan, Ehrlich, and Brand. Over the years, he published many case studies, articles, and a series of books in his field. Williams served as associate dean of the School of Business, chair of the University Task Force on Management and Organization, executive assistant to the president, vice president for administration, and ultimately as vice president for finance and chief financial officer for the entire Indiana University system. He also served as a consultant to a wide variety of national and international organizations. After his “retirement” in 1988, he was asked to be the special advisor to the president, interim director of intercollegiate athletics, and interim director of human resources. He also served as president of the Distinguished Alumni Service Association. Williams’ many awards include two Sagamores of the Wabash, the IU Presidents Medal, the Thomas Hart Benton Medal, and the Distinguished Alumni Service Medal. His lifelong interest in sports – from his varsity basketball, baseball, and football efforts at Evansville – never abated; he was also an Honorary I Man, and a member of the IU Athletic Hall of fame. Williams was a St. Louis Cardinal fan his whole life, and an avid fisherman and golfer – possibly more accomplished at the former than the latter, but to every endeavor he brought a determination and wholehearted commitment that was only matched by his fierce sense of independence. He was one of a kind, and will be sorely missed. The family wishes especially to thank the caring staff at Meadowood for their kindness and care during his stay there. The family will receive friends at Day Funeral Home in Bloomington on Wednesday from 12 noon to 2:00 p.m. Entombment will follow at Valhalla Memory Gardens Mausoleum. The family suggests to friends who wish that memorial contributions in Mr. Williams’ memory be given to the I.U. Foundation; P.O. Box 500; Bloomington, IN 47402