Frank B. Williams III was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey in 1920. He was the elder of two sons born to Frank B. Williams, Jr. and Emily MeCray Williams. He spent his winters in Hillside and summers in Cape May, New Jersey. Frank received his primary education at The Pingry School, and graduated with a degree in engineering from Cornell University in 1944. He was a member of the Seal and Serpent Fraternity there.

Frank was first married in 1943 to Lynne Ash and raised his family in Westfield and Cherry Hill, New Jersey. They divorced in 1968. He married Leah Shaw in 1970 and enjoyed 37 years of devotion to her. He was an avid designer and woodworker, and among the accomplishments of which his family is most proud is his design and hand-crafting of the “Georgian Wye” home on Wye Landing Lane in Wye Mills, Maryland. Another life-long avocation was choral music, singing with the Cornell Glee Club, the Westfield Glee Club, the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia, and as a charter member of the Sarasota Key Chorale. He also made numerous contributions to the communities in which they lived.

He established the Sarasota engineering firm now known as Crawford Williams Engineering, Inc. His mark is left on many municipal and commercial buildings in Sarasota and perhaps most notably on the green “city standard” street lights throughout the downtown areas of Sarasota. Other contributions for which he will be remembered include tireless volunteer efforts for his church, the Mote Marine Lab, and the Sertoma Club.

Frank was preceded in death by his father, Frank B Williams, Jr  who died from a self inflicted gunshot wound in 1946, and his mother, Emily M Williams, who died in 1977.  Following Frank in death is his eldest daughter, Susan Lynne Barker, who lost her battle with brain cancer March 13, 2010.  

Surviving Frank are two daughters, four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, one brother, two nephews and a niece.  Daughter Kathleen Williams of Chapel Hill, NC; Granddaughter Corinna Robbins, Great-Grandson Ezra Theran Old and Grandson Avram Robbins all of Denver, CO; Daughter Wendy Williams Susskind of Hamilton, VA; Grandson-in-law James Scot White, Great-Granddaughters Ronan Ivy,  Chloe'Raine and Great-Grandson Lucas Gage White, all of Clearwater, FL; Brother Donald Williams of Strafford, NH; Nephew Raymond Williams of Hebron, CT; Nephew Donnie Williams of Nottingham, NH.,  Niece Lori Williams. Grandson Douglas Barker of San Diego, CA; Granddaughter Kirsten Kleven of Bloomington, MN.

Contributions should be sent to WynkSystems Ventures, LLC.,40242 Charles Town Pike, Hamilton, VA 20158.

I love and miss you Dad

Leah Shaw Williams was born Leah McMurtrie in Pittsburgh, PA. in 1924. She received her nursing degree from Suburban General Hospital and maintained a lengthy, rewarding career in nursing.  She married Carleton Shaw in 1948 and they lived in Birmingham, Alabama where they raised their family. Carleton died in 1967. In 1970, she married Frank Williams and moved to Gulph Mills, Pennsylvania. From there they relocated to Easton, Maryland and then to Sarasota, Florida. Leah was a long time member of the Sarasota Opera Guild. She continued her nursing career until she retired.

Leah enjoyed nothing more than being surrounded by family. She was a talented seamstress and an exceptional cook. She collected Southern Living recipes and was famous for her Poppy Seed Coffee Cakes and "Congealed Salads". She was a true lady in all things.  Leah loved golf and dancing and appreciated all of the classical arts. One of her favorite places was Siesta Key, Florida, a beautiful white sand beach where she and her family spent many hours swimming in the warm gulf waters.

Leah was preceded in death by her brother, Lloyd "Uncle Max" McMurtrie.  Surviving Leah are three sons, a daughter, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, a sister and a niece.  Son John Shaw of Mesa, AZ; Grandson Kevin Shaw of Denver, CO;  Son George Shaw, Granddaughter Amber Rosenberg, Great-granddaughter Ambria and Great-grandson David Rosenberg, all of Palm Bay, FL;  Grandson Austin and Great Granddaughter Violet;  Daughter Catherine Shaw-Anderson, Granddaughter Catelyn and Grandson Geoffry Anderson, all of Coral Gables, FL; Son David Shaw, Grandson Ryan Shaw of Norfolk, VA; Granddaughter Kristen of the home; Sister Martha "Aunt Martha" McMurtrie of Kissimmee, FL; Niece Shirley Cornman of Kissimmee, FL.