Fletcher Price Williams, Jr.

FLETCHER PRICE WILLIAMS JR., of Bel Air, MD, died on March 2, 2008 at Perry Point Veteran's Hospital. He was 86 years of age. Mr. Williams was born October 6, 1921 in Cherry Hill, MD to the late Fletcher P. Williams and Cornelia Cooper Williams of Happy Valley Camp, Port Deposit, MD. He graduated from McDonogh School in 1941 and Widener University (formerly Pennsylvania Military College) in 1943 with a BS degree in Biology. He served in the Army from 1942 to 1945. He retired in December 1988 from Edgewood Arsenal (Department of Defense) as an Animal Scientist. He was a research biologist at the National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD from 1948 to 1958 and was a pioneer in the development and identification of diseases of laboratory animals. The results of these studies were published in some 25 to 30 scientific publications. In 1965, he was hired by the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (formerly the Biomedical Laboratory) at Edgewood Arsenal. He was responsible for the procurement and management of breeding colonies and purchase of supplies and equipment for the Aberdeen Area complex. Upon retirement in 1988, he was awarded one of the highest civilian awards, the Superior Civilian Service Award. He had served 38 years of federal service. Upon his retirement from the Federal Service on December 31, 1988, the American Flag was flown over the capital in his honor. He and his wife of 17 years, the former Helen Savitsky Gill, were active in community affairs and Lions Club activities for many years. Mr. Williams was active and held office in the Elkton and Bel Air Lions Clubs as wells as activities at District and International levels for more than 28 years. He served as President of the Elkton Lions Club from 1980, 1981 and 1990. At the District level, he served as Zone Chairman, Region Chairman and District Secretary. In various years, he served as Chariman of the Safety, Activities, Youth Exchange for Foreign Students and the Roaring Lions committees. His club honored him with the Lion of the Year award in 1985. In 1990, he transferred to the Bel Air Lions Club and served as chairman of various committees. In 2004, he received from Lions International the coveted Melvin Jones Fellow award in recognition of his humanitarian services to his club, district and Lions International. While he was a student at McDongh School, he learned the game of polo. Following graduation, he played polo for the Washing Squires, the Lancaster, PA Polo Club and the Chuckers Valley Polo Club near Pottstown, PA. He was also a member of the Highland Society of Harford County. He was a member of St. Ignatius Roman Catholic Church in Hickory, MD.

Survivors include his wife, Helen Gill Williams, one son, Fletcher P. Williams III of Elkton, MD, one daughter, Elizabeth Williams George of Newark, DE, two stepdaughters, Melanie France and fiance, Herbert Watson, of Bel Air, MD, and Mary Leavens and husband, Gary Leavens, of Bel Air, MD, one brother, Harlan C. Williams and wife, Mary, of Elkton, MD and eight grandchildren, Sean Williams of New York, NY, Jason George, Nicholas George, Derrick George all of Newark, DE, Tyler Leavens, Ashley Leavens of Bel Air, MD, Rob Gill, and Ryan Gill of Westminster, MD, and one great-granddaughter, Carlie George of Newark, DE. He was predeceased by a stepson, Frank R. Gill.

Pallbearers will be Gary Leavens, Tyler Leavens, Herbert Watson, Jason George, Nicholas George, Derrick George, and Sean Williams.

Memorial donations in Fletcher's name may be made to St. Ignatius Church, 533 East Jarrettsville Road, Forest Hill, MD 21050.