P. Bailey Williams ’38

P. Bailey Williams ’38 of Laurens, S.C., died September 15, 2005. At Davidson, he was chosen in his junior year as a member of Omicron Delta Kappa leadership fraternity and was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. While at Darlington School, he lettered in four sports. At Davidson College he lettered three years in football and served as captain of his team senior year. He lettered in track and was nationally ranked in the discus throw, and was to represent the U.S. in the coming Olympics in 1940, but was unable to due to World War II. He was All Southern Conference, All State and All American in football. After graduation, he served as a line coach under Walter Johnson at Presbyterian College. During World War II, he served in the Army Air Corps and was stationed at Randolph Field, Texas, where he played and coached the Armed Service National Championship team. He served in the Pacific Theater and was with the occupation forces in Japan. He was honorably discharged as a captain. He was co-owner and vice president of H.L. Roper and Co. until his retirement. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Laurens, where he served as a deacon. He is survived by his wife of fifty-eight years, Ellen Gray Nicholson Williams, 773 W. Main St., Laurens, S.C. 29360; sons, Shepard N. Williams, T. Yancey Williams and Pringle Bailey Williams. He is also survived by five granddaughters, Frances W. Richards, Rebecca C. Williams, Ellen N. Williams, Kendall D. Williams, and Anndel K. Williams; and a great-grandson, Lucas Garrison Richards. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by an infant brother, Thomas Yancey Williams; two sisters, Frances W. Arthur and Rose W. Wilkinson; and an adult brother, D. Reece Williams Jr.