William Clayton Williams was born at Grayling Hospital and lived most of his life at Higgins Lake. Bill attended Gerrish Higgins Schools through fourth grade. Then his family moved to Jackson, Michigan, so his parents could help with the war effort. In 1949, the family returned to Roscommon where Bill enrolled in Roscommon High School for his senior year, graduating with honors.
Bill proved to be an excellent student and participated in many extra-curricular activities, such as the swim and football teams, dance class, the order of DeMorlay (Junior Masons) and the Scouts. While he was an Eagle Scout, he was selected for the Order of the Arrow in 1946.
After high school graduation, Bill enrolled at the University of Michigan where he studied engineering. Tragically, in 1953, an auto accident near Hartwick Pines cut short this promising young man’s life. The accident occurred right before he was to report for duty for the Navy. To this day, two words come to mind when remembering William Clayton Williams, accomplished and hard-working.
Bill’s mother, Harriet Williams, nearly fifty years later, decided to set up a scholarship in memory of her son. She did it as a way of keeping Bill’s memory alive forever. Mrs. Williams wanted to reward and recognize other young people who demonstrate the creativity and hard work which was exemplified by her son.
The William C. Williams Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to a graduating senior of Roscommon High School who will enter the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor as a freshman.
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