The Williams Family
More than 15 members of the Williams family have served the university for decades, in Building Services, Facilities and Operations, LSA, and more.
"They clearly exemplify 'The Michigan Difference,'" said Tim Slottow, executive vice president and chief financial officer as he read a resolution in their honor at a Board of Regents meeting in September 2004. "They are an example, he said, "of what makes Blue go."
Frank Williams was a custodian at U-M in the 1950s, and sons Richard and Kent both worked for the university.
Richard, a 22-year employee of Building Services, died in 2004. A conference room in the Plant Services Building on North Campus was named in his honor.
His four children also have worked at U-M: Ken in Building Services, Debbie as a transit coach operator, Tyrone as a mechanic in roofing/sheet metal and Myron as a steam fitter.
Kent Williams was the first African American tradesperson at U-M. His four children all have been employed at U-M: Eric in Facilities and Operations and Human Resources, Melanie at LSA, Monique at the U-M Health System, and Frank in Construction Services, where he became president of the Trades Union for two terms.
Eric Williams spoke at the regents meeting and said "Our family has contributed over 300 years to the university."
This story appeared originally in The University Record, http://www.ur.umich.edu/0405/