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Former MC СÖíÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø of Teacher Education and Leadership chair, energy conservation leader dies

Dr. Tom Williams

Dr. Tom Williams, a СÖíÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø College alum who served as professor and chair in the СÖíÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø of Teacher Education and Leadership before taking the reins of the University’s energy conservation program, died Thursday, May 22, 2025. He was 79.

A graduate of СÖíÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø State University, Williams received his master’s in education and his education specialist degrees at MC. He obtained his doctorate in education from the University of Southern СÖíÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø.

Williams joined the MC faculty in 1989 after an impressive career as an administrator and teacher with Jackson Public Schools, where he served as principal of Murrah High School and was recognized as the СÖíÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø Teacher of the Year in the early 1980s. At СÖíÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø College, Williams received the Distinguished Professor of the Year СÖíÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø, the School of Education’s Alumni of the Year СÖíÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø, a СÖíÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø СÖíÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø from the MC Athletic СÖíÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø and MC President Blake Thompson’s MVP СÖíÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø.

“MC loved Tom Williams almost as much as he loved us. We’re thankful for his loving kindness and his long-standing service to our campus community. MC is better because of him,” said MC President Blake Thompson.

Throughout his three decades of service to MC, Williams was known for going the extra mile for students, faculty and staff. Before retiring from the Christian University in July 2021, Williams served on the institution’s COVID Response Team, where he facilitated the distribution of materials and supplies to help keep the campus safe. The Madison resident and former СÖíÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø Tennis Coach of the Year also served as chair of the СÖíÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø College faculty athletics committee.

As the University’s first energy education director, Williams worked with Energy Education consultants, members of MC’s Physical Plant staff and the administration to reduce energy consumption and energy costs. Less than six years after Williams accepted the role, MC’s energy savings exceeded $2 million. Williams would reward faculty and staff for their energy-saving efforts by leaving tiny chocolate bars on their desks as his way of saying thanks.

СÖíÊÓƵ¹ÙÍøation was May 25 and 26 at Natchez Trace Funeral Home in Madison, with a funeral service May 26 celebrating his life in the Natchez Trace Funeral Home Chapel. The interment followed in New Augusta Cemetery in New Augusta, СÖíÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to СÖíÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø College at . Donors should indicate that the gift is in memory of Tom Williams and select "Other" as the gift details designation when prompted. All gifts made in his memory will be directed to the Alan D. Lowe Scholarship Fund.