Lee Williams

E. Lee Williams, PHD

Lee Williams, research chemist, tennis player, and Toledo resident for the last 60 years, passed away on Monday, August 30 at the age of 92.

Elmer Lee Williams was born on April 14, 1929 in Ironton, OH. He was the middle son of three born to Walter and Mary Williams. His father, Walter, worked for the Norfolk & Western railroad in Portsmouth, OH for many years.

Lee, along with his two brothers Gene and Jack, played many sports while growing up near Portsmouth. Basketball became his primary sport, and Lee played varsity basketball in high school and while attending Ohio University in Athens, OH.

After graduating from Ohio University with a degree in Chemistry, Lee served as a quartermaster in the Army in Korea during the Korean War. When Lee returned, he enrolled in graduate school at Indiana University in Bloomington where he met the love of his life, Mary Ann Schrader of Shelbyville, IN. They were married in August of 1957, and their first son, Mark, was born a year later.

After graduating IU with a doctorate in Physical Chemistry, Lee took a research job with Sylvania Labs in Chicago. After a couple of years, Lee moved his young family to Toledo where he took a job with Owens-Illinois at their tech center on Westwood Avenue. A daughter Ann, and another son Kris were then born.

After working at the O-I tech center for about 17 years, Lee then worked for several years for Midland-Ross. He then finished his career running the mass spectrometer lab at Bowling Green State University before Lee retired.

Lee and his wife Mary Ann spent the majority of their leisure time playing tennis. The family was a member of the Laurel Hill Swim & Tennis Club on the south side of Toledo. Lee and Mary Ann were a well-known doubles team having won the annual Laurel Hill mixed doubles tournament many times, and they even won the City of Toledo Mixed Doubles Championship on one occasion.

In addition to tennis, both Lee and Mary Ann played golf in retirement. Both were active in the Zion United Methodist Church on Copeland where Lee was the Treasurer for many years.

Lee was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ann, by his parents, Walter and Mary, and his two brothers Gene and Jack. Lee is survived by his three children, Mark Williams (wife Celeste) of Orange, TX, Ann Huffman (husband Keith) of Broomfield, CO, and Kris Williams of Toledo, OH. Lee is also survived by his two grandchildren, Justin Huffman and Kirsten Huffman, both of Broomfield, CO.

The family will receive guests, Saturday, September 11, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Newcomer SW Chapel, 4752 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo (419-381-1900). Memorial Services will begin Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society in Lee's memory.

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