Lawrence Drake Williams, Jr
29 November 1918 ~ 21 January 2004

Mr. Williams, our beloved Texas History Teacher, who shared his passion for Texas History with us, whether or not we were mature enough to accept it.

Mr. Williams was laid to rest at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antontio, TX

Army - Private to Lt Col WWII and Korea Part of Occupying Forces in Japan after the war Retired and went to college Taught for 20 years: (1) 7th grade Texas History at Alamo Heights Junior High in San Antonio, Texas during the school year, (2) high school World History at Alamo Heights High School during summer school and (3) College American History in night school at San Antonio, Texas.
He traveled the world, dipping a toe in every ocean, walked on every continent, was in the wilds of Borneo on his 82nd birthday, thrown overboard at Pitcairn Island, and was shipwrecked in the South Pacific on his last trip.

Find-A-Grave Memorial

Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery

Full Obituary for LAWRENCE D. WILLIAMS, JR.

November 29, 1918 to January 21, 2004. Services for Lawrence D. Williams, Jr., 85, of Bryan, were held at Fort Sam Houston.

Larry was to Lawrence Drake Williams, Sr., and Hazel Claribel Adams. He was married to Diana Elizabeth Pion on 28 Nov 1942 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Born in Boston, he lived in San Antonio for 40 years then moved to Bryan.

He served in the U.S. Army during WWII and Korea. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

He joined the Army a year before Pearl Harbor and served in Iran, and several other places during WWII. In the Medical Corps, he was what is now termed as Physician's Assistant. While in Iran, he was responsible for checking American pilots who had been interred in China and in Russia when they were brought by train to a secret place somewhere near where he was stationed. After the war was over, he remained in the military.

He was part of the Occupational Forces in Japan and lived there for 3 years with his family, occasionally going to Korea. He served in Korea, as well.

After his retirement from 20 years in the military, he received a master's degree from Trinity University and taught Texas history at Alamo Heights Junior High School until his retirement in 1985. He taught 7th grade Texas History at Alamo Heights Jr. School during the regular school year, taught World History at Alamo Heights high school during the summer, and American History in night school at San Antonio College, all in San Antonio, Texas.

After retiring from teaching (20 years), he traveled the world. He visited every continent, including Antarctica, dipped a toe in every ocean, was thrown into the ocean at Pitcairn Island, turned 82 in Borneo, and on his last trip, he was shipwrecked when his ship hit an uncharted coral reef in the Solomon Islands.

His first love had always been the Army but this changed as he taught 7th graders. This Boston Yankee discovered his real love was for these young students who learned the fascinating history and anecdotes of Texas. He also taught at the high school level and at San Antonio College. He was a volunteer tutor at Howard Elementary School and was active in the Institute of Texas Cultures where he always asked for the 7th graders.

He turned 82 in Borneo, flew around Mt. Everest and went to seldom-visited lands.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Diana Pion Williams.

He had a most excellent life and was the best Dad in the world.

Survivors include two beloved daughters and sons-in-law, Cheryl Williams and Jesse Wenzel and Pamela Williams and Don Johnson, all of Bryan; four grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Memorials may be made to Trinity University or a charity of choice.

2004 brief Obituary, Published in the Express-News on Feb. 8, 2004

Memory of Mr. Williams, by Toni Schmid:

I was new to AHJS in 1966. Debbie Bates and I both transfered into AHJS mid-year 7th grade, 1966 spring semester. I was new to Texas and I remember Mr. Williams being "such a Texan!." I also think that I had him for Georgraphy.. not sure. He was a very kind and sweet man, and I recall liking his class.. and looked forward to it, as I was overwhelmed by being a new school, and my first public school! I do remember, in 1968, that Mr. Williams was involved with Hemisphere '68, and he had some of our Texas flag artwork on display at the Institute of Texas Cultures at Hemisphere. We were blesed to have him in our lives.

In 2001, Mr. Williams RSVPd that he would love to attend our 30 Year Class Reunion, and was looking forward to it very, very much. Sadly, he caught a bad cold or flu and was not able to attend.

Mr. Williams in 1996, here with Glenna Smith. He and his wife were visiting Glenna in London.