Physicist George Norman Williams, 82, Worked on Apollo Lunar Lander Program, Taught Sunday School

George Norman Williams, age 82, of Saline, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 9, 2020 after a five-year battle with Alzheimer’s.

Norman grew up in Scotland and earned degrees from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Institute of Physics in London and RIT in Rochester, NY in both physics and business management. He met Iris, his wife of fifty-seven years, in Banbury, England. Shortly after the birth of his first child, he moved his young family to Saudi Arabia, where Norman was a Professor of Physics at the King Saud University of Riyadh.

Norman returned to England to work in the automotive glass industry, while there his second child was born. Shortly after the birth his second child, Norman moved his family to Boston, MA where he worked at NASA on the Apollo Lunar Lander program. Norman and Iris's love for America lasted a lifetime as they chose to stay in the States with their two young children. 

The family moved to Seneca Falls, NY and later Norman and his wife moved to Saline, MI. Norman had an amazing adventurous spirit with a zeal for traveling and exploring new places.  His love of the outdoors, camping, skiing, kayaking, cycling was evident in his other passion, photography. His hobby captured beautiful scenes of nature for over forty years, framing, displaying and selling his artwork. Norman was active in the churches he attended in the communities where he lived. 

A Sunday school teacher, missionary work in developing countries reflected his affection and devotion for helping and being able to give back the enormous generosity and opportunities he had received in this country. He was an intense, proper gentleman with a zest for fun who was always game for getting ice cream on Sunday or going off to explore a new location on the map.

He is preceded in death by his mother Margaret Archibald and father George.  He is survived by his wife Iris Kingstone, son David (Amber) of Denver, CO, daughter Rowena of Bethesda, MD, and brother Huw of Weirsdale, FL. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 11:00 A.M. at the First Presbyterian Church of Saline. Friends may join the family for a time of visitation from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service to celebrate his life.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Norman’s name to either the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org or First Presbyterian Church of Saline, 143 East Michigan Avenue, Saline, MI 48176. To leave a memory of Norman, or for more information please visit www.rbfhsaline.com

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