Roland R. Williams Jr., 87, of Lily Pond Road in Lyndonville died on Feb. 14, 2017. Roland was born in Hardwick, Vt., on May 20, 1929, the oldest of eight children born to Roland and Mamie (Jones) Williams Sr. He was heavily influenced by his grandfather, William Manfred Williams, where he learned a strong work ethic, which he demonstrated for the remainder of his life. He graduated from Craftsbury Academy in 1949 and then he and his brother ran a milk route for 2 years. Roland was a Korean War Veteran with the 101 Airborne Division as a medic and ambulance driver. On Aug. 15, 1955, Roland married Elizabeth Simonds and together they had three children. Roland graduated from the Lyndon Teachers College in June 1958 and in 1970 he received his masters degree from Plymouth State College. In high school and college, he excelled as an athlete, particularly enjoying basketball and soccer. He was an avid hunter and fisherman in his younger years. Roland taught school in St. Johnsbury and at Lyndon Institute for a total of 36 years. He was an instructor of horsemanship at the Greensboro Summer Camp, a Little League coach of the Twins, the director and president of the Lyndon Outing Club, a member of the U.S. Trotting Association where he raised and raced standard bred horses and he was the head of timing for cross country and biathlon in 1980 Lake Placid Olympics. Roland also had several maple sugaring operations and raised and sold Christmas trees. To this day, his college friend, Joan Brown Simmons, calls him The man of many talents. He was well known for his Vermont drawl. Roland was a member of the First Congregational Church in Lyndonville for over 50 years, serving as a deacon and on the Prudential Board during that time. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Elizabeth Williams; daughter, Deborah Stork and husband David of Florida; son, W. David Williams of Lyndonville; daughter, Mary Beth Lombardo and husband Tony of Florida; brothers, Edmund Williams and wife Cherie and Robert Williams all of Craftsbury; sisters, Beryl Darling, Donna Williams and Diane Sanville and husband Ronnie all of Craftsbury; four grandchildren; two step-grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. Roland was predeceased by his parents; a brother, Lewis Williams and a sister, Joan Williams. There will be no calling hours. Private committal services will be held in Craftsbury at the convenience of the family.

Mr. Williams was a teacher at Lyndon Institute from 1978-1988. In the Reading Room he helped students with reading, English, and math. He was instrumental in getting the Special Education program started at LI. After retiring in 1988, he came back and developed the Lyndon Institute Skills Training (LIST) program allowing adults who never finished at LI to earn their diplomas. He retired again in 1993. Rollie was often seen helping at extra-curricular activities, including home track meets where you would hear him from afar, "timers ready!"