Laurence Lyman Williams

Laurence Williams passed away in Stamford in the early hours of January 19, 2023. Larry, as everyone called him, will be greatly missed by his children, Jennifer (married to Ann) Laurence Jr. (married to LeeAnn), Douglas; his stepchildren, Robert Marburg and Sally Pessin (married to Andy); his grandchildren Eric, Meredith and Elizabeth; and his sister Kathleen. Larry was predeceased, in 2018, by his wife Carol (née Taub).

Born in Omaha, Nebraska on April 16, 1932, he was the only son of Lyman T. and Mildred (Califf) Williams. When he was 15, as part of a nationwide program to broaden the school’s reach, he received a full scholarship on merit to Phillips Exeter Academy. Upon graduating high school, he moved home to save for college. After one year working in the shipping department of a paint company, he saved enough for one year’s tuition for, and was admitted to, Harvard University. He received a merit scholarship for the balance of his education, through to a PhD in Chemistry.

He and Carol married in 1966 and moved to Stamford where Larry accepted a position at American Cyanamid. He stayed with the company, through all its iterations (Cytech, Solvay) for his entire career, retiring as International Vice President of Product Development / Sales. While at Cyanamid, he earned the company many patents, one of which was for his work on developing polymers to give paper “wet strength” - a key component in early Bounty Paper Towels.

Larry was a Little League and soccer coach, an avid birder, and a horse racing aficionado. He could recite poetry from memory, he knew a song for every snippet of conversation, he had an encyclopedic knowledge of old movies, sports and history, an easy laugh and an endless supply of patience. Some called him a prince, others preferred saint. Many said genius. A privileged and grateful few called him, “Dad.” He will be deeply missed. A service will be planned for the future, when all who loved him can attend.