Background
Williams, Rhys was born on February 27, 1929 in San Francisco, California, United States. Son of Albert Rhys and Lucita (Squier) Williams.
Williams, Rhys was born on February 27, 1929 in San Francisco, California, United States. Son of Albert Rhys and Lucita (Squier) Williams.
AB, St. Lawrence University, 1951; Bachelor's Degree, Master of Divinity, St. Lawrence University, 1953; Doctor of Divinity, St. Lawrence University, 1966; postgraduate, Union Seminary, summer 1956; Doctor of Laws (honorary), Emerson College, 1962.
Minister Unitarian Church, Charleston, South Carolina, 1953-1960, 1st and 2d Church, Boston, 1960—2000, minister emeritus, 2000—2003. Member faculty, field education supervisor Harvard University, since 1969. Russell lecturer Tufts University, 1965, Minns lecturer, 1986.
President Edward Everett Hale House, since 1987, Society of Cincinnati, State of New Hampshire, 1986-1989. Vice president Franklin Institute, 1960-1999,, secretary, 1990-1996, trustee, since 1999. Vice president Benevolent Fraternity Unitarian Universalist Churches, 1982-1993.
President Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry, 1991-1999, president emeritus, since 1999. Secretary board trustees Emerson College, 1961-1994, trustee, 1994-2002, trustee emeritus, since 2002. Chaplain General Society Cincinnati, Washington, since 1977, Founders and Patriots of Massachusetts, Sons of the Revolution.
Chairman Festival Fund, Inc., American-Soviet Cultural Exchange, 1989-1991. Trustee Opera Company Boston, since 1970. Trustee Meadville Lombard Theological School, Chicago, 1971-1977, member ministerial fellowship committee, 1961-1969, chairman, 1968-1969.
Finance chairman Church Larger Fellowship, 1968-1986. Board directors Peter Faneuil Housing Corporation, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Housing, 1995, clerk since 1996. Trustee Franklin Square House, since 1993.
Chairman Franklin Foundation, 1997. Member president council U.U.A., since 1999, member advisory committee New Horizons - United States-Russia students. Member Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association (president 1968-1970), Unitarian History Society (president 1960-1975), Evangelical Missionary Society (president 1965-1980, vice president since 1980), Society for Propagation Gospel Among Indians and Others in North America (vice president 1975-1999, president since 1999), Unitarian Service Pension Society (president since 1973), Society Ministerial Relief (president since 1973, member committee for church staff finance), Massachusetts History Society, Colonial Society Massachusetts, Union Club of Boston (Second vice president 2002), Unitarian Universalist Association, Beta Theta Pi (president New England 1964-1966).
Married Eleanor Hoyle Barnhart, September 22, 1956. Children: Rhys Hoyle, Eleanor Pierce.