April 13, 2007--William Henry Williams, 70, noted Delaware historian, author and professor emeritus of history at the University of Delaware, died from colon cancer at his home in Georgetown on Saturday, April 7.

Williams, who taught history for 33 years in UD's Parallel Program and Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program in Georgetown, retired from the University in 2000.

He was born in 1937 in Port Jervis, N.Y., and spent his childhood and young adulthood on Long Island before moving to Delaware.

Williams earned his bachelor's degree in history from Drew University in 1958, and his master's degree in education from Yeshiva University in Israel in 1959, before returning to Long Island to begin his career teaching high school in Queens, N. Y. He earned his doctorate degree in history from the University in Delaware in 1971.

Considered an expert on Delaware history, Williams blazed new trails by exploring previously unresearched topics, such as the role of Methodism on the Delmarva Peninsula, the history of Delmarva's poultry industry, the legacy of slavery in Delaware and the First State's environmental past, from its earliest settlement by Europeans to its industrialization by the DuPonts.

Williams wrote Slavery and Freedom in Delaware; The Garden of American Methodism: The Delmarva Peninsula, 1769-1820; The First State: An Illustrated History of Delaware; and America's First Hospital: The Pennsylvania Hospital, 1751-1841. His latest book--an environmental history of Delaware--is slated for publication this fall.

Williams and his wife, Helen, were active in teaching Sunday school at Wesley United Methodist Church in Georgetown, fundraising efforts for a new public town library, and coaching for the local Little League baseball team.

A celebratory service of Williams' life will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, April 14, at the Wesley United Methodist Church, 102 East Laurel St., Georgetown.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church or to the Williams Memorial Fund at the Georgetown Public Library, 10 West Pine St., Georgetown.