John G. Williams was a legendary Arkansas architect and the founding faculty member of the School of Architecture at the University of Arkansas. Williams was born on April 30, 1915, in Van Buren, Arkansas. He studied engineering at Arkansas Polytechnic College (now Arkansas Tech University) before completing his bachelor’s degree in architecture at Oklahoma A&M (Now Oklahoma State University) in 1940. He began teaching architecture at the University of Arkansas in 1946, establishing the school’s early curriculum and serving as a teacher and mentor to many, including his most famous student, Fay Jones, until his retirement in 1985. In addition to his academic appointment, Williams practiced as a professional architect for many years, mostly designing residences in and around Fayetteville.
When Williams passed away in May 2008, the Fay Jones School of Architecture hosted a memorial service for him, at which family, friends, and former colleagues spoke. Pryor Center staff recorded the memorial service as well as brief interviews with several attendees who shared their memories of Professor Williams and the School of Architecture he helped to build.
#1: Still frame from John Williams memorial service; Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2008
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#2: Still frame from John Williams memorial service; Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2008
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#3: Still frame of Jeff Shannon from John Williams memorial service; Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2008
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#4: Still frame of Fran Beatty from John Williams memorial service; Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2008
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#5: Still frame of Ernie Jacks from John Williams memorial service; Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2008
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#6: Still frame of Matthew Brown from John Williams memorial service; Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2008
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#7: Still frame of Sue Williams Hein from John Williams memorial service; Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2008
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#8: Still frame from Pryor Center interview with Marlon Blackwell at John Williams memorial service; Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2008
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#9: Still frame from Pryor Center interview with Tim de Noble at John Williams memorial service; Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2008
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#10: Still frame from Pryor Center interview with Maurice Jennings at John Williams memorial service; Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2008
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#11: Still frame from Pryor Center interview with Sally Overby at John Williams memorial service; Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2008
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#12: Still frame from Pryor Center interview with Barbara Taylor at John Williams memorial service; Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2008
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#13: Still frame from Pryor Center interview with Joe Wilkinson at John Williams memorial service; Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2008
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
