Obituary of Walter Williams

Walter Williams

Retired Chairman, President, and Chief Executive of Bethlehem Steel Corporation

Walter F. Willams, longtime resident of Bethlehem, PA. passed away on November 28, 2015 at Sand Hill Cove in Palm City, Florida. He was born on February 7, 1929 in Dover, Delaware. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joan Carey Williams and two sons, Jeffrey F. and Richard C Williams. He is predeceased by their son Douglas E. He was the proud granddad of six grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Bethlehem, PA as well as First United Methodist Church in Stuart, FL.

Walt earned a degree in civil engineering with honors from the University of Delaware in 1951. He was also designated as a distinguished military graduate From Delaware's ROTC program and received a commission in the U.S. Army Reserve. While in college he was elected to membership in Phi Kappa Phi, Tau Beta Pi and Omicron Delta Kappa national honor fraternities. Walt also received a degree from Harvard's Advanced Management Program as well as honorary PHD's from DeSales University and Lehigh University.

After joining Bethlehem Steel as a member of the 1951 Loop Course, he was called to active duty in the Army where he served from 1951 to 1953 which included twelve months in Korea during the war. He attained the rank of First Lieutenant and served with the 45th Infantry Division artillery as a Reconnaissance Officer and Assistant Battalion Operations Officer, during which he was awarded the Bronze Star.

Subsequent to the Korean War, Walt returned to Bethlehem Steel's Engineering Department at the Lackawanna Plant near Buffalo, New York. Following a transfer to Bethlehem in 1960 he was made Chief Engineer of construction of the Burns Harbor Plant in Indiana. In 1970 he was elected Vice-President of Bethlehem's Shipbuilding Division. In 1975 he was elected Senior Vice President of Steel Operations and in 1978 he became a member of the Board of Directors. In 1980 he became President and Chief Operating Officer. In 1986 he became Chairman of the Board, President and chief Operating Officer. In 1992 Walt retired from the Bethlehem Steel Corporation after 42 ½ years of service.

Mr. Williams truly loved his career with Bethlehem Steel and often spoke fondly of his co-workers, employees and life with "The Steel". His devotion to all thing steel led to his receiving the Gold Medal for Distinguished service from the International Iron and Steel Institute and the Gary Medal, the organization's highest honor for distinguished service to the steel industry from the American Iron and Steel Institute.

Walt was a proud Eagle Scout and was a member and past President of the Executive Board of the Minsi Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America. He also served as President of Area 4, Boy Scouts of America. For his service in scouting, he was awarded the Silver Beaver medal, the National Distinguished Eagle Award and the Silver Antelope Award.

In his free time Walt was an avid golfer and skeet shooter. He served as President of Saucon Valley Country Club and in his later years, President of Hobe Sound Country Club in Florida.

His professional accomplishments speak for themselves, but most important to Walt was his family and church.

SERVICES: Memorial: 11:00 AM, Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at First United Methodist Church of Stuart, 1500 S Kanner Hwy, Stuart, FL.

CONTRIBUTIONS: In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Boy Scouts of America, Gulf Stream Council, 8335 N Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410