Frank and Leah Williams, 86 and 82, died on May 11, 2007 in Sarasota, Florida.  They had recently returned to Sarasota, the place they called home, after living briefly in The Villages and Ocala, Florida.  

Frank and Leah were married in 1970.  Devoted partners through 37 years of married life, they had 7 children between them.  They enjoyed a long lasting deep affection which carried them to many places around the world and through many exciting adventures. Their lives were rich with music, family and love. They were completely devoted to each other, to the end.  Words do not express our loss, we all miss them very much. 

Leah S. Williams was born Leah McMurtrie in Pittsburgh, PA. in 1924.   She received her nursing degree from Suburban General Hospital and maintained a lengthy, rewarding career in nursing.  She married Carleton Shaw in 1948 and they lived in Birmingham, Alabama where they raised their family.  Carleton died in 1967.  In 1970, she married Frank Williams and moved to Gulph Mills, Pennsylvania.  From there they relocated to Easton, Maryland and then to Sarasota, Florida.   Leah was a long time  member of the Sarasota Opera Guild.   She continued her nursing career until she retired. 

Leah enjoyed nothing more than being surrounded by family.  She was a talented seamstress and an exceptional cook.    She collected Southern Living recipes and was famous for her Poppy Seed Coffee Cakes and "Congealed Salads".  She was a true lady in all things.  Leah loved golf and dancing and appreciated all of the classical arts.  One of her favorite places was Siesta Key, Florida, a beautiful white sand beach where she and her family spent many hours swimming in the warm gulf waters.

Leah was preceded in death by her brother, Lloyd "Uncle Max" McMurtrie.  Surviving Leah are three sons, a daughter, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, a sister and a niece.  Son John Shaw of Mesa, AZ; Grandson Kevin Shaw of Denver, CO;  Son George Shaw, Granddaughter Amber Rosenberg, Great-granddaughter Ambria and Great-grandson David Rosenberg,  all of Palm Bay, FL;  Grandson Austin and Great Granddaughter Violet;  Daughter Catherine Shaw-Anderson, Granddaughter Catelyn and Grandson Geoffry Anderson, all of Coral Gables, FL;  Son David Shaw, Grandson Ryan Shaw of Norfolk, VA; Granddaughter Kristen of the home;  Sister Martha "Aunt Martha" McMurtrie of Kissimmee, FL; Niece Shirley Cornman of Kissimmee, FL.

Frank B. Williams was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, in 1920. He was the elder of two sons born to Frank B. Williams, Jr. and Emily MeCray Williams.  He spent his winters in Hillside and summers in Cape May, New Jersey.   Frank received his primary education at The Pingry School, and graduated with a degree in engineering from Cornell University in 1944.  He was a member of the Seal and Serpent Fraternity there.

Frank was first married in 1943 to Lynne Ash and raised his family in Westfield and Cherry Hill, New Jersey.  They divorced in 1968.  He married Leah Shaw in 1970 and enjoyed 37 years of devotion to her.    He was an avid designer and woodworker, and among the accomplishments of which his family is most proud is his design and hand-crafting of the “Georgian Wye” home on Wye Landing Lane in Wye Mills, Maryland. Another life-long avocation was choral music, singing with the Cornell Glee Club, the Westfield Glee Club, the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia, and as a charter member of the Sarasota Key Chorale.  He also made numerous contributions to the communities in which they lived.

He established the Sarasota engineering firm now known as Crawford Williams Engineering, Inc. His mark is left on many municipal and commercial buildings in Sarasota and perhaps most notably on the green “city standard” street lights throughout the downtown areas of Sarasota. Other contributions for which he will be remembered include tireless volunteer efforts for his church, the Mote Marine Lab, and the Sertoma Club.

Surviving Frank are three daughters, five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, one brother, and two nephews and a niece.  Daughter Susan Barker of Minneapolis, MN;  Grandson Douglas Barker of San Diego, CA; Granddaughter Kirsten Kleven of Bloomington, MN; Daughter Kathleen Williams of Chapel Hill, NC; Granddaughter Corinna Robbins and Grandson Avram Robbins both of Denver, CO; Daughter Wendy Williams Susskind of Hamilton, VA; Granddaughter Karen White, Great-Granddaughter Ronan Ivy White, Great-Granddaughter Chloe Raine White and Great-Grandson Lucas Gage White, all of Largo, FL; Brother Donald Williams of Strafford, NH; Nephew Raymond Williams of Hebron, CT; and Nephew Donnie Williams of Nottingham, NH., and Niece Lori Williams.  In lieu of flowers, contributions to may be sent to The Church of the Redeemer, Music Fund, 222 South Palm Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236