James Rennick Williams ’46

Jim Williams died on Sept. 20, 2001, at his lifetime hometown of Lockport, N.Y. He joined the class in 1942, majoring in history, and after Marine Corps service in the Pacific and Japan, he graduated in June 1947. He joined the venerable family department store business, Williams Brothers Co., where he remained, becoming president, throughout his 30-year career.

Active in trade associations and community activities, Jim became president of National Retail Merchants Assn. for some 19 years. He served on the board of the Princeton U. Store. With his wife, Joan Pettit, he restored a 134-year-old home in Lockport, where they raised two sons, James R. Jr., and Robert M. He is also survived by his sister, Margaret, as well as four grandchildren and two grandsons. To all of them, the class extends deep sympathy on the loss of a loyal classmate.

The Class of 1946