Fredrick David Williams

There once was a man from Canada

with mental acuity and stamina

The story to come

will be news to some

with joy, irony and anathema

Fredrick "Fred" David Williams, 79, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday February 27th following a lengthy illness.  Fred was born on September 1, 1937 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was the son of Alice (Sculthorp) Williams and Alexander Moses Williams and is survived by his sister Ida (Williams) Boyd. Fred was a dedicated father and educator who loved to read, write and challenge prevailing thought.

In 1962 Fred completed his PhD in chemistry after proudly serving in the Canadian Army. He then spent 2 years in Europe performing his post-doctorate work before coming to the U.S.A. and working at Allis Chalmers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. While at Allis Chalmers he met and is survived by Jean Ida (Nordvall) Williams whom he married in 1964.

Family, education and a love of the outdoors were of great priority to Fred. To fulfill their dreams, Fred and Jean moved to Hancock, Michigan and started their family. As a young adult, Fred served as a fishing guide in northern Manitoba; the rugged beauty that is the U.P. naturally appealed to him. Canoeing and kayaking on the Ontonagon river was a favorite past time. Countless whitewater camping trips to northern Ontario became a tradition for he and a small group of whom became his closest friends. 

Fred joined Michigan Technological University as a professor of Chemistry and excelled at teaching; winning teaching awards and serving as the director of the Center for Teaching Excellence at MTU. Fred was proud to have developed a reputation for unconventional ideas and lectures. Among the many memorable examples was Fred's passion for limericks which he extended into the classroom. The resulting avalanche of student written limericks provided laughter and joy for years. Many remain a valued possession.

At home, Fred and Jean raised three children, Stephanie Joan (Williams) Johnson of Hancock, Craig Fredrick Williams (Raechell Thuot) of Milwaukee and Jeffrey Alexander Nordvall Williams (Desiree Williams) of Ripley. Much like his showmanship during lectures, Fred performed magic and could hypnotize friends and family to the delight of those watching. The family spent their summers in Eagle Harbor swimming, berry-picking, motorcycling and water skiing in the small close-knit community.

Fred's family grew with seven adoring grandchildren, all knowing him as Poppa - Kyle and Derek Johnson; Elizabeth, Mali and Liam Williams; Peyton and Connor Williams.

It was late in his life when Fred, a life-long learner and voracious reader was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease; the condition to which he succumbed.

Visitation will be held between 4 and 6 pm on Thursday March 3rd at the O'Neill-Dennis Funeral Home in Hancock, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that friends donate to Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly at 527 Hancock Avenue, Hancock MI 49930.

In the 1980's Fred wrote this fitting limerick:

If intercourse gives me thrombosis

While incontinence causes neurosis

I prefer to expire

Fulfilling desire

Than live on in a state of psychosis

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