Dr. Leland Hendry Williams, PhD

Dr. Leland H. Williams, PhD, a dignified, southern gentleman, a scientist and a Christian, died to this life on Tuesday, July 12, holding the hands of his children. He wore many hats over his 92 years, but three were most important to him and his family: Faithful Husband to his wife of almost 69 years, Devoted Father to his children and Loving Pop Pop to five grandchildren and (soon-to-be) three great grands. Leland was husband to Cornelia Ann Burnett. They were high school sweethearts, were married in 1952 and lived “hand in hand” throughout their lives. They enjoyed the happiness of being married to their best friend. Having met in Columbia, SC, life took them to Knoxville, TN, Athens, GA, Huntsville, AL, Newport, RI, Dahlgren, VA, Durham, NC, Tallahassee, FL, Auburn, AL, Edinburgh, Scotland, Alexandria, VA and back to Columbia in 1998. As a father he supported and cheered on his children’s interests. Inspired by Carolee’s passion for history, he served on the first Historic District Commission in Durham, NC. Inspired by Lee’s passion for backpacking, he joined (with trepidation) a father-son, weeklong backpacking trip. His friends, family and associates recognized him as Durham’s Father of the Year. As a grandfather he invested his time and talents in whatever interested the grandchildren – whether building doll furniture or building a tree fort. His grandchildren knew how much he loved them and how much he valued education and faith for them. Leland held degrees in mathematics from the University of South Carolina, the University of Georgia and Duke University where he obtained a PhD. He found himself at the right time and with the right background to be a leader in the creation of a new profession: computer science. Leland applied his math skills to work at Redstone Arsenal and testing rocket fuses at the Naval Proving Ground in Dahlgren, VA where he earned the rank of Lieutenant JG. He was a proud Navy Veteran. He was a math and computer science professor and computer center director at Florida State University and Auburn University. Most of his career was then spent leading TUCC (Triangle Universities Computation Center), the shared mainframe computer center for Duke University, the University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University. During that time, he was also a visiting advisor to the computer center at Edinburgh University. His final position took him to the Naval Research Laboratory where he worked on supercomputer planning with all branches of the military. He was active in many national professional groups which were vital to the emergence of computer science. In 2006 he was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Special Interest Group on University and College Computing Services (SIGUCCS) of the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM). He was a member of the BITNET Executive Committee and Board of Trustees: BITNET was a predecessor to today’s internet and email for universities, worldwide. Perhaps his longest and fondest professional association was with the American Scientific Affiliation of which he was a Fellow. The ASA is an international network of Christians in the sciences. Leland would say: “God reveals himself both through his natural creation and through the Bible. Science is man’s attempt to understand natural creation and theology is man’s attempt to understand the God who is revealed in the Bible. Since God is the author of both, they cannot conflict. When they appear to do so it is either because science or theology has erred in its interpretation.” His faith, his sense of civic duty and his and Cornelia’s love of the arts led him to serve in many capacities in the church and community. Just a few include Golden K Kiwanis Club, Eastminster Presbyterian Church elder, Stephen Minister, footcare ministry, hurricane Katrina recovery and Habitat for Humanity projects, English Speaking Union, Evening Music Club, a dental clinic in Dominica, Chairman of Deacon Boards, Sunday School Director and teacher, Boy Scout Troop Committee Chairman, Washington Symphony Orchestra Vice President. In recent, post-retirement life his passion has been evangelism. He introduced and led Alpha at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, of course with Cornelia’s support. (Alpha equips churches, ministries, and individuals to help others discover and develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.) Leland is predeceased by his wife Cornelia Burnett Williams and infant son Kenneth Felder Williams, as well as his parents, Wyman Loren Williams and Lorraine Hendry Williams. The family finds great comfort in knowing that Leland, Cornelia and Kenny are together. Leland is survived by his other children Carolee Williams (Doug) and Lee Williams (Wendy), and by his grandchildren Carol Ann Peake (Steven), Alicia Hoffer (DJ), Alex Gunter James (Kaitlynn), Elizabeth Joy Williams and Stuart James. His two great granddaughters thrilled him with their reading, songs, smiles and giggles. He was looking forward to the birth of his first great grandson. Leland and Cornelia “adopted” many special young people in their lives including these three special ones who must be named: Oderra Small, Nancy Osborne and Destiny Prinski. Leland went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, July 12, 2022. A Witness to the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and Celebration of Leland’s Life will be held on Saturday, July 30th at 10:30 am at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC. Join in person or via the live feed found at https://eastminsterpres.org/live-services. The family looks forward to connecting with family and friends after the service in Thompson Hall. The family thanks Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community for their caring support and nurturing of both his and Cornelia’s lives over their last few years. In lieu of flowers, Leland and his family would appreciate donations to Science with a Mission here or by mail to 602 Massapoag Ave. Sharon, MA 02067 (in the notes or memo line write “In Memory of Leland Williams”). Science with a Mission exists to combine scientific knowledge with Christian compassion through diagnostic tools for developing areas of the world. In lieu of flowers, Leland and his family would appreciate donations to Science with a Mission at https://link.edgepilot.com/s/e55592b8/4BKEQsBSOUe_kpAIYui-Kw?u=http://www.sciencewithamission.org/ or by mail to 602 Massapoag Ave. Sharon, MA 02067 (in the notes or memo line write “In Memory of Leland Williams”). Science with a Mission exists to combine scientific knowledge with Christian compassion through diagnostic tools for developing areas of the world. Donations may also be given to Eastminster Presbyterian Church for Alpha at eastminsterpres.org/give/contribute/or by check to Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Road, Columbia SC 29205 (in the notes or memo line write “In Memory of Leland Williams”). Alpha offers safe space for conversations about faith.

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Dr. Leland Hendry Williams, PhD

February 24, 1930 - July 12, 2022