William Howard “Bill” Williams, a longtime Hunter professor of Mathematics and Statistics, died July 9, 2024, at his home in Chatham, N.J. He was 93.
“Our hearts are breaking,” said Mathematics and Statistics Chair Sandra Clarkson, “Bill was loved and admired by colleagues and students alike.”
Williams began teaching at Hunter in 1986 as a full professor with tenure after stints at McMaster University in Canada; University of Michigan; The University of California, Berkeley, and 20 years in the prestigious Mathematics and Economics Research Center at Bell Laboratories. At Hunter, Williams chaired the undergraduate and the graduate Course of Study committees, served for 15 years as the college’s ombudsman, and started the Big Apple Poll.
He received the CUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Mathematics Instruction in 2012 and Hunter’s Presidential Excellence Award in 2018. He retired this spring at age 92, proud that he had worked since age 9.
Williams had an equally distinguished career as a corporate executive. He served as an executive vice president for AT&T, where he ran the Methods and Models Division. Later, he became the executive director of polling operations at Louis Harris Polls, a well-known national firm.
He was the author of a highly regarded book, A Sampler on Sampling, and more than 75 peer-reviewed research papers on statistical sampling and forecasting, polling methods, clinical trials, financial modeling, employment and productivity, and sports. He also served as a federal government adviser, chairing committees for the White House, U.S. Census Bureau, Department of Energy, and Department of Defense. He was an elected Fellow of the American Statistical Association (highest distinction).
A native of Hamilton, Ontario, Williams graduated with a bachelor’s in Mathematics and Economics from McMaster University, which honored him as a distinguished alum. He earned a master’s and PhD in Statistics, Mathematics, and Economics from Iowa State University.
An avid athlete, Williams spent many years coaching youth sports and playing handball and racquetball. He was an active member of the Chatham United Methodist Church and the Kiwanis club.
He is survived by Marion, his wife of 66 years; children Martin, Anne, and David; and grandchildren Chris, Ted, Tanner, Ryan, KC, Victoria, Lucy, Mary, Kevin, Sarah, and Tess.
A memorial service was held at the Chatham United Methodist Church on July 20.
Contributions in Williams’s memory may be made to Hunter’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
