Category: 1954

Charles Leonard Geiger ’54, of Gainesville, Ga., passed away peacefully at home and in the presence of his family July 14. Geiger was born in 1932 in Boaz, Ala., to William Marlin and Leah Tolbert Geiger. He spent his childhood in Gadsden, Ala.; Portland, Ore.; Atlanta, Ga.; and Panama City, Fl. He attended Davidson, graduating in the Class of 1954 with a dual major in physics and premedical studies. He was a member of the Physics Honor Society and was a tenor soloist for three years in the Davidson Male Chorus. Geiger attended Emory School of Medicine in the Class of 1958. He completed his internship in pathology and his two year residency at Emory Hospital, and spent his third year of postdoctoral pathology at Emory as a fellow of the National Cancer Institute. For the next two years he was appointed to the Emory Medical School faculty as assistant professor of pathology and served as assistant director of the laboratory at the Atlanta Veterans Administration Hospital. In 1963 he joined the U.S. Air Force Medical Service, serving as captain at Eglin Air Force Base. During this time he became a member of the American Society of Clinical Pathology as a fellow of the College of American Pathology. On leaving the Air Force, he moved with his family to Gainesville, Ga., to work with Dr. Hamil Murray. After studying at Oak Ridge, he obtained a license from the Atomic Energy Commission and opened the first radioisotope laboratory in North Georgia. During this time he remained on the Emory Medical School Faculty as professor of clinical pathology. He later moved his practice to Lanier Park Hospital in Gainesville, where he continued to work for the next 14 years until his retirement from medicine in 1991. Upon his retirement he began a long-term study of the natural world and volunteered several thousand hours as a naturalist at Elachee Nature Center. While he was still physically able, he devoted his time and study to paleontology. He often referred to these years as the most enjoyable in his life. He considered the most fortunate event in his life meeting Rebecca “Becky” Deal on a blind date in 1953. They married in 1956, and their marriage continued to grow in joy and meaning until his death. He was preceded in death by his eldest son, William Marlin Geiger ’79. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Geiger, 715 Mountain View Cir., Gainesville, GA 30501-1672; his daughter-in-law, Catherine Brooks Geiger, and grandchildren, Caitlin and Christopher; his son, Leonard Geiger, Jr., (Christina) and daughter, Ava; his daughter, Beth Geiger Bolstad ’85 (Arlen) and children, Joanna, Emma, and Thomas; and his son, Ralph Geiger. Geiger was a man who lived in awe of the mysteries of the natural world and of the human heart.

Charles Williams ’54, 78, of Burlington, N.C., died May 24 at his home. A native of Halifax County, N.C., Williams was born on July 1, 1931, to Rosa A. and Carey A. Williams, who preceded him in death. He grew up in Rocky Mount, N.C. Williams is survived by his wife, Nancy Lavender Irwin Williams, 505 Edgewood Ct., Burlington, NC 27215; his two daughters, Nancy Anne Williams (Bryan Pennington) and Mary Katherine Williams (Marc Dreyfors); his two sisters, Elise Williams Blackwell (Bill) and Ellen Williams White; and many nieces and nephews. Williams received his undergraduate degree from Davidson and his master of theology degree from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Va. While a student at Davidson, he served as moderator of the N.C. Synod of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) youth group and also as moderator of the general assembly for youth groups of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). He was awarded an honorary doctor of divinity degree from King College, Bristol, Tenn., and an honorary doctorate in humane letters from Elon College (University). Williams served pastorates at Mt. Olive Presbyterian Church and Baker Memorial Church in Mt. Olive, N.C.; Westminster Presbyterian Church in Durham, N.C., where he served as the organizing pastor; First Presbyterian Church, Bristol, Tenn.; and came to Burlington in 1980 as senior pastor and head of staff of the First Presbyterian Church. He served on the board of the William Black Home in Montreat, N.C., president of the board of directors of the alumni association at Union Theological Seminary and board of trustees at Union Theological Seminary, Davidson College, and Barium Springs Home for Children, Barium Springs, N.C. Williams believed strongly in volunteer work, in giving something back to a community in which you live, and earning your living. He, with other members of the Downtown Ministers Association, envisioned and started Allied Churches Food Kitchen and Shelter, Alamance Cares, and Habitat for Humanity. Williams played a major role in the Civil Rights Movement in Durham in the 1960s, believing all of God’s children are created equal. He also believed women had a right to be ordained in ministry. He had the first woman pastor on his staff to serve in a downtown church in Burlington. He also had a woman pastor on staff at First Presbyterian Church in Bristol. He became active in the Burlington community and served for many years as chaplain of the United Way. He was on the board of the Burlington chapter of the Red Cross, Allied Churches, Alamance Human Relations Committee, Downtown Ministers’ Association, CROP Walk, Alamance Cares, and Presbyterian Local Ministries. Williams also helped in organizing the local Habitat for Humanity ministry. He and Mrs. Williams were honored by the First Presbyterian Church by naming a Habitat for Humanity home for them and creating an ongoing Habitat fund in their names at the First Presbyterian Church. At his retirement the chapel at the church was named the Charles Williams Chapel. Williams served on several committees of the newly-formed Salem Presbytery. Locally he participated in the ARMC chaplain’s program, Lenten services in downtown churches, an ecumenical outdoor Palm Sunday service with the Blessed Sacrament congregation, and Boy Scout Troop 17 Eagle Award ceremonies and graduation services at area high schools. He extended an invitation to Hospice of Alamance for office space when the agency began their service in this county. The local Meals on Wheels program was also housed at the church while Williams served as pastor. While serving with the First Presbyterian Church in Burlington, he worked with the capital projects committee in the late ’80s to enlarge parking and renovate office space, Calvin Hall, the sanctuary, the John Knox Room, the library, and the children’s area. A sacristy was created, as well as two elevators, a new entrance, and office space. He loved teaching children and developed the “Children in Worship Too,” which included weekly worship services and a weekday playschool.

Archibald “Archie” Thomas Reeves III ’54, of Selma, Ala., died on May 3, 2009, of complications following cancer. He was born in Selma on June 6, 1932, to Archibald Thomas Reeves, Jr. and Martha Mallory Reeves. He attended Davidson and the University of Alabama, and earned his law degree at the University of Alabama School of Law. He practiced law in Selma at his family firm of Reeves & Stewart, where he began his career in 1956 with his father and where he was later joined by one of his sons. He was active in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and numerous community and civic organizations. He loved fishing, and he passed the joy he took in that pastime onto his children and grandchildren. His other passions were his family, his church, and his beloved city. He will always be remembered for his intellect, his wit, his enthusiasm, his distinctive voice, and his unfailing kindness. He is survived by his wife, Anne “Bebe” Smith, 102 Winthrop Ct., Selma, AL 36701. Other survivors include his brother, H. Mallory Reeves; his sister, Claude Reeves Baniakas; his cousin, Hugh Mallory; his sister-in-law, Sally Smith Carrington (David); his sons, Archie T. Reeves IV (Shannon), Allen Smith Reeves (AC), and Edgar Stewart McNeil Reeves (Amy); eight grandchildren; dozens of nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews; and other relatives.

John Lyman Kiser ’54, of Cary, N.C., died Jan. 25. He was born on Feb. 20, 1932, to the late Lyman Kiser and Elizabeth Cochrane Kiser. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Elizabeth “Lib” Holland. He graduated from Davidson, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma, Scabbard and Blade, ODK and was president of the Student Government Association. He was well-known for his friendliness, his phenomenal ability to remember the names and faces of the people he met, his loyalty to the causes he believed in, and his leadership abilities. His nickname was “Mr. President” because he was so often chosen as a leader. He served two years as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He became an agent for Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and was a life member of the Million Dollar Roundtable for 17 years. He was a stockbroker and financial consultant with an M.S. in financial services. He was an Eagle Scout and later worked as a volunteer with local cub packs. He was an active member of the Rotary Club for 50 years and was elected Rotarian of the Year in 2000 by the Crabtree Rotary Club. In January 2007, he was recognized by the City of Raleigh for his service to the city. He was a charter member of White Memorial Presbyterian Church. Lyman is survived by his wife, Maria Hunter Kiser, 400 Dartmouth Rd., Raleigh, NC 27609-5850; and his children, Allison Nebel (Arthur Nebel), Loy Chipley (Ron Parks), Judy-Lynn Kiser Barrow (Jim Barrow), and John Lyman Kiser, Jr. (Molly McNeill). He is also survived by three stepchildren, Sally Mackie (Rob Mackie), Kathryn McDonald, and Hunter McDonald. He has six grandchildren and eight step-grandchildren. In addition, he is survived by his favorite nieces, Libby and Laura Holland, and his brother-in-law, Leon Holland.

Henry Mills Higgins ’54, of Roswell, Ga., died Nov. 1. He was born in Statesville, was a retired salesman, a longtime resident of Dekalb County, a sharpshooter in the Army during the Korean War, and was a very special friend of Bill W. for more than 25 years. He is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Jane Luffy, 15382 Twin Creeks Ct., Centerville, VA 20120-3742; daughter, Patricia Louise Higgins-Thomas; brother, Bryan B. Higgins; sister, Virginia Palmer; and grandchildren, Samantha M. Luffy, Scott Higgins Luffy, Sean M. Luffy, Sarah E. Luffy, and Kathleen Higgins-Thomas.