LAKELAND -- Mr. Thomas Carl Williams loved to learn and returned to college after retiring from Florida Tile in 1996. Mr. Williams, who retired as the treasurer and controller of Florida Tile, died of complications following surgery Saturday (March 27, 2004) at Tampa General Hospital. He was 63. "He started taking math classes at USF, just for fun. He loved to learn. He was an avid reader and always checked out books from the Lakeland library. He could read a 300page book a week," his daughter, Shannon Williams of Atlanta, said. His favorite books were historical novels. Born in Oshkosh, Wis., on Aug. 29, 1940, he attended Carroll College in Waukesha, Wis., and graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin. After coming to Lakeland from Wisconsin 30 years ago, he took classes at Florida Southern College. His career with Florida Tile spanned 25 years before his retirement in 1996. Mr. Williams, who was an avid golfer, was a member of the Grasslands Country Club. "He played golf at Grasslands every Tuesday through Saturday. He stayed very active throughout his life," Shannon Williams said. Mr. Williams also played tennis and was a participant in the Polk County Senior Olympics, where he bowled and played golf and table tennis for the annual event. He was a big supporter of Florida Southern College basketball and a member of the FSC 6th Man Club. He held season tickets to the games for many years. He also volunteered in the past year for the guardian ad litem program. He was treasurer of the Sertoma Club. He attended Highland Park Church of the Nazarene where he attended Sunday school class. In addition to his daughter, Mr. Williams is survived by his wife of five years, Terri Williams; daughter, Stacy Smith, Lakeland; stepdaughter, Melissa, Hairgrove, Texas; stepson, Matt, Petry, Texas; brother, Steve Williams, North Carolina; sister, Sandra Williams, Wyoming; and seven grandchildren. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Highland Park Church of the Nazarene. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Highland Park Church of the Nazarene building fund, 4777 Lakeland Highlands Road, 33813. Lakeland Funeral Home.