J. David Williams

williams.jpegJ. David Williams, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus at Northern Illinois University (NIU) died April 9, 2010 in Sarasota, FL. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa in 1954, specializing in stuttering. His career included teaching and clinical practice at Marshall University, the University of Iowa, the University of Northern Iowa, the University of the Philippines (as a Fulbright lecturer), and NIU from 1959 until his 1986 retirement. Dr. Williams was active in the National Council of Stuttering for several years, organizing conferences and editing their quarterly newsletter. He and his wife, Dorothy (DJ), also a speech therapist, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in September 2009.

DJ emailed the following note telling friends about Dave's passing

We are so sorry to tell you that David died very suddenly on April 9th. He was watching television and I was reading a 'talking book'. I looked up when he quietly said, "oh", and slumped over in his chair. Two of the nurses came up immediately and pronounced him dead as soon as they arrived. He had been joking and walking with his walker shortly before he died. We are so grateful that he died without any pain at all.

Our daughters, Holly and Carol, arrived within 24 hours and have been with me since. The three of us have been giving each other tremendous support. (Holly is writing this as I dictate it.) We have shared many tears as well as many happy memories. Our sorrow is tempered by the knowledge that he had a wonderful life; I am adjusting well because of the great support I have from my daughters and everyone here at the Fountains.

In September, DJ sent the following picture, note and attachments

jdwanddj.jpeg

Dearest Friends, Thank you all for your sincere condolences. After David died on the 9th of April, we had a celebration of his life on June 26th. I am enclosing a copy of the remembrances that Holly, Carol and I shared. We began with David's favorite tape of Brahms and finished with Holly signing, "The fox went out on a chilly night," which was a folk song that David taught Holly when she was 5. Various other friends shared heart felt stories. I'm sharing these wonderful memories with you all so that you can take part in the celebration of David's life. Again, I thank you all for your love and support. Love, DJ Williams

One of Dave's important contributions was Basic Goals for a Person Who Stutters - chapter 10 from the Stuttering Foundation's classic Advice to Those Who Stutter (Basic Goals for a Person Who Stutters http://www.stutteringhelp.org/default.aspx?tabindex=794&tabid=807)

Dave served on the Prof is In for the ISAD online conferences in 2008 when he also read and commented on basically every paper posted on the conference and submitted a paper "Some Thoughts on Stuttering Therapy" responding to all the questions/comments that participants posted. He also participated actively in the 2009 online conference in October by reading and responding to the papers.

Dave shared several things that are now a part of The Stuttering Home Page

Dave was a wonderful, warm, life-long learner, filled with memories and a delightful sense of humor. I will miss him dearly. Below are some memories of Dave. If there are others that would like to share a tribute or a memory of Dave, please send them to me at Judy Kuster

Tributes/Memories

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