Editor’s Note: Obituary posted now as public memorial service is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 19.
Dr. Larry Bill Williams passed from this life on Sunday, March 22, 2020, peacefully at his home in Tulsa, Okla. He was born in Cushing, Okla., at the family homestead, on June 9, 1945, to Louis and Morene Williams.
Larry graduated from Cushing High School in 1963, and immediately joined the Army National Guard. He was honorably discharged in 1970. He received a bachelor’s and M.B.A. from Central State University, and Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma. Larry began his career as a custodian at Central State University. He went on to work in the Comptroller’s office and was eventually promoted to Executive Vice President.
In 1987, he was named the 15th President of Southeastern Oklahoma State University, in Durant, Okla., where he served until 1997. He then served as the 15th President of Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla., until his retirement in 2008. Larry improved academic programs and faculty development, and expanded NSU’s facilities in Muskogee, as well as building the Broken Arrow campus. He was known as “The student’s president.” Larry dedicated more than 40 years to higher education and was inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame in 2005. As a champion of education, he mentored and changed the lives of so many students.
Larry loved country and western music and could often be seen tapping his toes to Hank Williams and Bob Wills at the family barn dances in Cushing. There is no doubt he understood and demonstrated the value of hard work. His generosity was well-known in his professional and personal life. It was not unusual to witness Larry picking up the tab for a table of students at a restaurant or giving up an entire weekend to help his kids with home projects. Like Will Rogers, he never met a stranger. Larry modeled hospitality by having an open-door policy in both his office and home. Leading by example, he never sought accolades for himself. Larry loved his family beyond measure and would drop anything to be there for his wife, children, or grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Pamela Williams; brother, Al Williams and wife Bonnie; sister, Judy Sheridan and husband John, and brother-in-law Kenneth Boyd; children: Rev. Natalie Bell and husband Ed of Owasso, Okla., Dr. Sharla Colbert and husband Rodney of New York City, N.Y., Vanessa Cobb and husband Brian of Trophy Club, Texas, Nicole Streich and husband Chris of Tulsa, Okla., L. Bradley Williams of New York City, N.Y. He was the proud Grandaddy of eight grandchildren: Jacob and Emily Ford, Sloan and Rollins Colbert, Bryson and Miranda Cobb, and Cora and Audrey Streich.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Morene Williams and his sister, Kay Boyd.
The private burial was held on March 25 at Parkland Cemetery in Agra, Okla., near the family farm. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, September 19, 2021 at the Northeastern State University Broken Arrow Campus Main Auditorium.
Memorial donations may be made to the existing Larry and Pam Williams Scholarship Fund at Northeastern State University, 812 N. Cedar Ave, Tahlequah, OK 74464, or at www.nsugiving.com/donate. Donations may also be made to the Dr. Larry Williams Scholarship in Business at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, 425 W. University Boulevard, Durant, OK 74701, or https://www.se.edu/giving/give-here/.