Thomas E. Williamsof Raleigh, N.C.Thomas E. Williams, 71, closed his eyes and went to be with his Lord on March, 29, 2006 after an extended illness. He was predeceased by his parents, Thomas N. and Grace (Morstadt) Williams. Family came first to Tom and he is survived by the love of his life and wife of 52 years, Barbara (Nilan) Williams; children, Thomas E. (Donna) Williams Jr., Raleigh, N.C., Laura (David) Collins, Kingwood, Tex., Edward (Jan) Williams, Raleigh, N.C.; seven grandchildren, Michelle (Ryan) Chipley, Thomas E. Williams III, Stephanie (Danny) Lloyd, Robert Williams, Jessica Pazda, Adam Pazda, Joshua Pazda; two great-grandchildren, Taylor Williams and Brett Lloyd; two brothers, Kenneth Williams and Barry (Betty) Williams; two sisters-in-law, Patricia (Bernard) Skehan, Virginia (Dale) Schumacher; numerous nieces and nephews who treasured their time with "Unk." Tom received his BS and MS degrees from Adelphi University in Garden City, N.Y. He was a Sales Representative for Nabisco when he realized that his passion lay in the field of Education. He taught High School English in the Riverhead and Connetquot School Districts in N.Y. and then became Elementary - Middle School Principal in Johnson City, N.Y. Before retiring, he served as Assistant Superintendent for Instruction at Broome-Tioga BOCES, a regional N.Y. Education Center. During this time, Tom also used his tremendous political talents and leadership skills as Mayor of Johnson City, N.Y. for four years. Upon retirement, Tom continued his life's journey in Raleigh, N.C. as Director of the Evergreen Education Center and Headmaster of Healthy Start Academy, a Charter School, in Durham, N.C. He was proud to have been elected three times as Exalted Ruler of Raleigh Elks Lodge 735. Tom was a devoted Christian, voracious reader, Carolina Panthers fan, and John Wayne movie buff. He was deeply loved and admired by his family and friends and his counsel and affection will be greatly missed. Our family would like to express a special thank you to Drs. John Lang and Glenn Medders in Raleigh, and Drs. Maresh Varia, Burt O'Neill and Michael Myers in Chapel Hill for their wonderful care throughout Tom's illness.There will be a Memorial Celebration of Tom's life at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home on Millbrook Road, Raleigh, N.C. on Sunday, April 2, 2006, at 2:00 led by his dear friend of 45 years, Rev. Dr. W. Joel Warner Jr. There will be a visitation time at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be made in Tom's memory to: The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Triangle/ Eastern North Carolina Chapter, 2210 Millbrook Road #109, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604-1786.