Emory Report

November 16, 1998

 Volume 51, No. 12

Bobby Williams retires after 41 years of service to alma mater

Bobby Williams, vice president for business and an Emory fixture since the Eisenhower administration, has decided to retire after 41 years of service to the University.

Williams, a 1957 graduate of Emory College, started working for his alma mater in March of that year as supervisor of auxiliary enterprises and moved up through the treasurer and comptroller's office and auxiliary services before coming to the University business office in 1966. He became vice president in 1989 and has since been involved in facilities management, planning and construction, real estate, parking, traffic and security, purchasing and stores, and other activities essential to the business management of the University.

"Bobby has provided excellent service to the University throughout his entire career," said Executive Vice President John Temple. "He will be missed not only from the perspective of his contribution to the University, but we will miss the personal relationship that we have enjoyed with him and his wife."

"Bobby Williams has brought Emory to a level of excellence in university business management second to none in this country," said Bradley Currey Jr., chairman of the Board of Trustees. "The entire campus shows off his commitment to Emory and its constituencies."

Williams will continue to serve as adviser both to Temple and to President Bill Chace for one year following his retirement.

"Emory University has seen few people more devoted to this campus, its history and its future prospects than Bobby Williams," Chace said. "He has been a tireless diplomat, a wise husbander of resources, a loyal friend to many and an immensely faithful alumnus. He has been part of this community for more than four decades, and during that time he has contributed--cheerfully and adroitly--to the growth of Emory. He has believed in this place, and we are very grateful to him for his fidelity."

"I've been privileged to work with Bobby Williams for 20 years, and I have found him to be a wonderful colleague and friend," said Bill Fox, vice president for Institutional Advancement. "He goes out of his way to be helpful in any circumstance. I'm saddened to hear of his retirement, but at the same time I am happy that he and [his wife] Mary Beth can have many long years ahead to enjoy each other and their family in a relaxed way."

Charlie Ginden, executive vice president for SunTrust Bank, Emory trustee and a longtime golfing buddy of Williams', found the occasion one for waxing poetic:

With his irons and his woods, he delivers the goods,

A divot he will take, but he hits the ball straight.

With more time to play, after retirement day,

You'd better get set, 'cause you'll lose every bet.

--Michael Terrazas


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