Athens - Dr. A. K. Williams passed away at age 72 in Guadalupe, Costa Rica on December 3rd, 2004 after a brief illness. Dr. Williams was born in Spartanburg, S.C. on February 11, 1932 to Augustus Williams and Ruth Griffis Williams.He was raised in Pearson, Ga. graduated from Atkinson County High School. He served in the U. S. Navy during the Korean War. He then attended the University of Georgia and earned his PhD in microbiology along with his wife, Dr. Joy P. Williams.His career included research at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Atomic Energy Commission, U. S. Health Service, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Russell Research Center, USDA in Athens, Ga. from which he retired. Dr. Williams received numerous awards and commendations during his research career.Survivors include two sons: Bruce Williams and his wife Sally Pat and their two children, Beth and Winn of Athens, Ga. and Kent Williams, his wife Lena and their daughter Natasha of Athens, Ga. His wife, Dr. Joy Williams, parents Gus and Ruth Williams and his brother Phillip and sister Jan preceded him in death.In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. Joy P. Williams Fellowship in Microbiology at the University of Georgia.Bridges Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.Courtesy of Bridges Funeral Home, Inc.