David Richard Williams, beloved husband, father, family member, friend, and dedicated attorney and public servant, passed away on June 12, 2025, in McKinney, Texas, at the age of 84. He was born on April 4, 1941, in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, to John E. and Theda (Knauf) Williams.
David is survived by his wife, Christine Huettner Williams of McKinney, Texas; daughter, Katherine Anne Williams of Honolulu, Hawaii; brother-in-law, David Allen Huettner (Sue) of Norman, Oklahoma; sister-in-law, Linda Huettner DeOreo of Shaker Heights, Ohio; brother-in-law, Timothy Louis Huettner (Deborah) of Tulsa, Oklahoma; brother-in-law John August Huettner of Shaker Heights, and numerous family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother Norma Williams, brother-in-law, Donald Evan Huettner (Mary) and brother-in-law Peter DeOreo.
David grew up in Cleveland Heights and graduated from Shaw High School in 1959. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physics from Colgate University, followed by a Juris Doctorate degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 1966. David began his legal career in Cleveland, and was a partner at Walter, Haverfield, Buescher, and Chockley for many years. In 1983, he joined TRW as a Senior Counsel for Litigation and later continued this work with Blackstone Group until his retirement in 2011. He passed the New Mexico Bar in 2012 and served the New Mexico House of Representatives during legislative sessions by analyzing proposed legislation.
In 1981, encouraged by lifelong friend Bob Horbaly, David started dating Christine, the love of his life. The two were married in 1981 and shared a life filled with daughter Katie’s activities, family gatherings, rich friendships, outdoor activities, church, and community service. David was very proud of Katie’s many accomplishments, particularly her persistence as a swimmer and cross-country runner, and her love of nature and science that ultimately led to a career in medicine.
David’s early years in the Boy Scouts, especially canoeing in the Canadian wilderness, nurtured in him a deep appreciation for the outdoors that lasted throughout his life. He ran cross country races for twenty years, cycled with Christine and friends through the parks surrounding Cleveland, and took many weekend sailing trips to the Lake Erie islands. Despite being a “duffer,” David also loved to play golf with his great friends Charlie Buss, Michael Morrissey and brother-in-law Dave Huettner, more for the joy of the company than his score. He and Christine loved to hike and to snowshoe in the mountains of Northern New Mexico, and David also skied with daughter Katie and brother-in-law Peter DeOreo in Angel Fire and Taos, New Mexico. Brother-in-law Tim loved to photograph nature, and a trip taken together to Canyon de Chelly, Monument Valley and Zion National Park was a special memory for David. David’s last outdoor activity was to view the total eclipse in October 2023 with Christine, Tim, and his wife Deb in the backyard.
David gave generously of his time and energy to causes close to his heart. Among many activities at church and in the community, David served on the board of Hiram House Camp for inner-city youth and was president of the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center. After moving to New Mexico, he continued his advocacy for young people and education as a board member of the Santa Fe Boys and Girls Club and the New Mexico Coalition for Literacy. David was a man of intellect, honor, modesty and kindness who contributed quietly and consistently, never seeking recognition, but leaving an indelible mark on every community he served. As one friend said, “It was a privilege to know him.”
In lieu of flowers we would prefer donations to:
St. Peter's Episcopal Church, McKinney, TX
Christ Episcopal Church, Shaker Heights, OH
Holy Faith Church, Santa Fe, NM