Dennis L. Williams ’64

Dennis died Sept. 24, 2022, in Waco, Texas, after a two-year bout with frontotemporal aphasia. 

He came to Princeton from Alpine (Texas) High School, where he played both football and trumpet and was active in the drama club, including acting in an award-winning play.

Dennis attended Princeton for three years, joining Terrace, soloing in Glee Club, and playing trumpet in the Marching Band. He then transferred to Texas Christian University (TCU), where he joined the Horned Frog Marching Band and majored in English. He went on to earn his doctorate at Texas Tech University. He then taught English at Central Texas College for 33 years and, after retiring, continued to teach online.

While at TCU, Dennis met his wife, Gretchen, a harpist and biology major who went on to teach biology in public schools before opting to teach harp full time and play in the local symphony. 

In retirement, Dennis joined the Vive Les Arts Theatre in Killeen, Texas, which combined his interests in music and drama. He had the opportunity to perform in more than 100 dramas, comedies, and musicals and was active on a local arts commission.

Dennis is survived by Gretchen and their son, Paul, and his family, to whom the class offers its condolences.