Mr. James Griffith Williams

June 18, 1939-August 14, 2023 James Griffith Williams, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, teacher, colleague, friend, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 14, 2023, in Fairhope, Alabama. He was 84 years old. James (Jim) was born in New Florence, Pennsylvania on June 18, 1939 the first son of Evan G. and Edna L. Williams. He attended Luther’s Elementary school, a one room school house for grades 1-8 followed by attending Ligionier High School where he served as class president and participated on the football, basketball, track and golf teams. Born and raised on a farm, in addition to his chores during his youth he worked as a caddy at Ross Mountain Park . Jim married his high school sweetheart, Jacque Menoher, in 1959. They shared 61 years of marriage and had three children, twins, Michael S. Williams (Melanie), the late Mark S. Williams, (Faith), and daughter Marci D. Williams-Hadley (Eric) Jim attended Clarion State University of Pennsylvania on a football scholarship and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in library science. Following graduation Jim was employed by Chartiers Valley School District. He became interested in computers and enrolled in the University of Pittsburgh graduate program for Library and Information Science later being selected as a teaching assistant. After receiving his master’s degree he was offered a job at Lorraine Community College in Ohio. Two years later he returned to the University of Pittsburgh to complete his PhD in Library and Information Science. After earning his PhD from Pitt, he picked up his family and moved to Columbia, South Carolina to fulfill a position as a full professor at the University of South Carolina. The University of Pittsburgh recruited Jim back to the ‘Burgh just 2 years later where he completed his career of 37 years, serving as Department Chairman and a professor Emeritus. Jim is an accomplished author with over 30 published books and articles and many grants that greatly benefitted the University of Pittsburgh. In the ‘70’s, Jim started his own company entitled Automated Systems Research & Development, (ASRD) . The company was innovative for designing software that automated state libraries for the blind and physically handicapped. He traveled the world educating governments and universities in other countries in the areas of telecommunications and computer science. He became a consistent guest professor at Siam University in Bangkok, Thailand. He absolutely loved telling stories about his many travels in foreign countries as he found their cultures, traditions, architecture and education systems fascinating. After Jim retired from the University of Pittsburgh, he and Jacque moved to Sunset Beach, NC and Jim continued to work as a consultant for his company. He loved to work, he loved to read, learn and to educate others. His consulting work allowed him time to travel with Jacque and enjoy days at the beach, time with family and trips to casinos. He spent many hours on the golf course in SC with his Italian Open Buddies, setting up and administering the website since it's beginning. Jim moved to Fairhope, Alabama after the death of his wife to live with his son Michael and daughter in law Melanie. He loved sitting on the porch, watching the wildlife, mainly squirrels and hummingbirds. He especially enjoyed the weekends boating in the Gulf Shores. He became obsessed with the GSN (game show network) particularly jeopardy and wheel of fortune where he tried to beat the contestants. Competitive to the end. Jim was blessed with a loving wife and family. Proceeding him in death are his parents, Evan G. Williams and Edna L. Williams, brother-in-law, Jim Heilman, brother-in-law, Hershel Wooten, son Mark S. Williams, wife Jacque Menoher Williams, and brother Richard Edwin Williams (Joan). He is survived by his loyal son Michael S. Williams, (Melanie), adoring daughter Marci Williams-Hadley, (Eric), daughter-in-law, Faith Williams, loving Sisters Edna Mae Heilman, Mary Lou Williams-White (Bob), Carol Ann Wooten and devoted brother Robert Keith Williams (Mentha), Brother- in-law Larry Menoher (Diane). He enjoyed spending time with his 10 grandchildren Jenna, Kylie, Allee, Jalyn, Madison, RJ, Betsy, Kristy, Luke, Maggie and his great grandchildren, Anistyn, Emery, Reagan, Michael, Lennon, Rezzy, Lucy, Jackson, Penelope, Addy, Landon, Parker, Carson, Piper. Our father was extremely proud to be a part of the University of Pittsburgh for so many years. He has influenced so many students and faculty over his many years and we were one of them. We would like very much to carry on his legacy by requesting his many friends and family donate to his scholarship fund. You can visit this online site https://www.giveto.pitt.edu/williamsmemorial or contact Terri Taylor at territaylor@pitt.edu

Mr. James Griffith Williams

June 18, 1939 - August 14, 2023