Evening star., 1935-07-30
DR.. WILLIAMS Dies.
NOTED JOURNALIST
Founder of First College
School of Journalism Once
Printers "DeviI."
BY the Associated Press.

COLUMBIA, Mo-, July 30.-The
long, brilliant journalistic and educa-
tional career of DR.. Walter Williams
has been ended by death.
DR.. Williams, II, founder of Mis-
souri, University's widely known School
of Journalism, died at his home here
last night after long illness.
The funeral will be held here
Wednesday.
A high school graduate who used
newspaper work as path to q high
place in the scholastic world, DR.. Will
hams attained distinction as one of
the most eminent American journal
lists and educators of his time.
1t was said of him that he found
Journalism a trade and helped make it
q profession.
His work, which began as printers
"devil," embraced the activities of
editor, author, goodwill ambassador,
founder and dean of the first collegiate
school of journalism in the world and
university president.
Headed University.
Although his schooling was limited
10 preparatory class rooms and the
only degree he possessed was the
honorary degree of doctor Of laws, DR..
Williams, by reason of his work as
founder of the schools department of
Journalism. was named president of
the University Of Missouri. He took
office January l. 1881. spending the
following Summer in a tour of Latin
America, in which he was received as
distinguished guest in several capitals
of Central and South America. Fail
ing health forceG him to retire a
month ago as president of the uni
versity.
DR.. Williams was Is years old when
he obtained his first newspaper job in
the composing room of the Boonville
(Mo) Topic at rs cents week. Eight
years later he became editor and part
owner of the Boonville Advertiser and
president of the Missouri Press As
sociation.
He assumed editorial supervision in
1890 Of the Columbia (Mo) Herald,
which bore the reputation of being
one Of the model small-town news
papers Of America. From that time
on his activities in newspaper work
broadened, and he rapidly gained
recognition for his efforts to raise the
standards Of journalism.
From his pen came THE Journal
lists Creed" a code Of ethics con-
.ceived with the idea of guiding jour-
nalists, both old and young, and
setting forth the high ideals of the
profession. The creed was widely cir
culated.
Took Over School.
Meanwhile, DR.. Williams services
were widely sought, but he continued
in newspaper work as his principal
activity. He served the University Of
Missouri several years as chairman of
the Executive Committee of the Board
Of Curators. He resigned that place
in 1908 to become dean of the School
OF Journalism at the suggestion Of
the Missouri Press Association. It
was the first separate division in any
university organized exclusively for
instruction in newspaper work. DR..
-
which has been widely copied.
He was urged several times by the
Democratic party to become its candi-
date for Governor Of Missouri, but
consistently declined.
DR.. Williams was born at Boon
vile, Mo-, July 2, 1864. In 1892, he
married Miss Hulda Harmed of YER
mont, Mo. They had two sons and
q daughter. Mrs. Williams died in
1918. In October, 1927, the dean
married Miss Sara Lockwood, a grad
uate of the School of Journalism, and
later q member of the faculty. She
Is also an author.
Through his journalistic activities,
Dean Williams became known in
virtually every country of the earth.
In the School Of Journalism building
were evidences Of good will from Ja-
pan and Great Britain, presented by
the Ambassadors of those countries
in recognition of the efforts of DR..
Williams to improve international re-
lations.
Received Many Honors.
Many honors we're conferred upon
DR.. Williams by national and inter-
national press associations and con.
crosses. As president of the National
Editorial Association he was the
youngest man ever to hold that posi-
tion. He was a fellow of the British
Institute Of Journalists and a member
OF the National Union of Journalists
Of Great Britain.
He was noted as an orator and
much In demand as a public speaker.
The late Champ Clark, after hearing
one Of his addresses. paid him this
compliment: He is one of the ablest
men have ever known in the State
Of Missouri"
Among his many writing was Jour-
nalism-the Newest Weapon Of Democ-
racy."