Williams, David Sterling ALBANY David Sterling Williams, a lifelong resident of Albany and business and civic leader, died on November 12, 2008 at the age of 91. He was born on June 13, 1917. He graduated from the Albany Academy in 1935, Colgate University (Phi Beta Kappa) in 1939 and Albany Law School in 1946. He also received an Honorary Doctor of Law Degree from Albany Law School, 43 years after his graduation. He left law school in 1941 to join the United States Army and served as an intelligence officer in the European Theatre of Operations, being discharged as a major in 1945. Upon completion of his law school studies in 1946, he joined the firm of Whalen, McNamee, Creble & Nichols in Albany and practiced law at the firm until his death. For many years, he was the leader of that firm, one of Albany's oldest and largest, and in 1974 the firm's name was changed to include his name on its title where it has remained ever since : McNamee, Lochner, Titus & Williams, P.C. He was a leader of the NYS Bar Association, having served as its president in 1981-1982. "David was an old-school gentleman. Always gracious and genial," said 1985-1986 Association President Justin T. Vigdor of Rochester (Boylan, Brown, Code, Vigdor & Wilson). "He was always so pleasant to everyone. He will be missed," added 1987-1988 Association President Maryann Saccomando Freedman of Buffalo (Cohen & Lombardo, P.C.) The 74,000 member NYS Bar Association is the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. Founded in 1876, the association's programs and activities have continuously served the public and improved the justice system for more then 130 years. Mr. Williams also served many local civic and educational institutions. He was past president of the board of trustees of the Albany Academy, a past president of the board of directors of the Albany Rural Cemetery, a past president of the Fort Orange Club and its member of longest standing, a former vice president of the Child's Hospital, a former trustee of Albany Law School, a former board member of the Mohawk-Hudson Community Foundation and the Albany Guardian Society, a longstanding member of the Albany Country Club, and the recipient of numerous honors and awards. He was also an active member and a former officer of the First Presbyterian Church of Albany. He is survived by a daughter, Georgina Williams Stage of Los Angeles, Calif., her husband Johnnie Stage, and their daughters, Georgina Williams Stage, Jr. and Alexandra Munson Stage. He was predeceased by his wife, Georgina Harris Williams and a daughter, Beth Williams Wallar. A memorial service will be held Wednesday 11 a.m., November 19, 2008 at the First Presbyterian Church, State and Willett Streets, Albany. Relatives and friends are also invited to call at the Tebbutt Funeral Home, 633 Central Ave., Albany, Tuesday 4 to 6 p.m. Interment will be in Albany Rural Cemetery, Menands. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Mr. Williams to the First Presbyterian Church of Albany or Albany Law School, 80 New Scotland Ave., Albany.