Lynn Williams Obituary, Lynn Williams Has Peacefully Passed Away

Lynn Williams Obituary, Death – On February 10, 2023, Lynn Annette Williams of Lexington passed away. Lynn Snyder, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on December 20, 1941 to Jacob and Florence Snyder, was raised in Easton, Pennsylvania. Lynn studied interior design at the Richmond Professional Institute (now VirginiaCommonwealthUniversity) in Richmond after graduating from high school in 1959. Lynn met her first husband, Gerald “Jerry” Fritchman, at Coca-Cola in Easton, where she worked.

Together, Lynn and Jerry had three kids. In 1972, Jerry died abruptly. In 1975, when Lynn married Harry Thomas “Tom” Williams Jr., she moved to Lexington with her daughters. Four daughters and one son now comprised their blended family. Tom and Lynn had been married for nearly 44 years before to Tom’s dying in 2019. Lynn felt really lucky to have two men whom she adored.

During Tom’s 37-year tenure at Washington and LeeUniversity, he served as a physics professor, department head, dean, and provost. During this time, their five children ranged in age from 10 to 3. Lynn served as president of the local American Red Cross office for a number of years following the departure of her children to college, careers, and their own families. Over the years, she rescued stray dogs and cats and nursed juvenile birds back to health due to her deep affection for animals.

In 2017, Lynn and Tom moved to Kendal at Lexington, where many of their W&L and VMI friends resided. They also made many new friends and enjoyed being a part of such an active community. They treasured their time spent in Kendal. Lynn is survived by her brother Rick (Annette) of Bath, Pennsylvania; her children Ann Merkel (Bob) of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Scott Williams (Sharon Vandivere) of Takoma Park, Maryland, Christine Riley (Jeff) of Charlottesville, Janice Weatherly (Richard) of Burlington, North Carolina, and Leigh Baker of Moneta; and her ten grandchildren, Will (Jenna) and Ben (Paige) Riley, Lynn is also survived by her Corgi and constant companion, Harry. A memorial ceremony will be conducted at Kendal in the AndersonCenter on Friday, February 17, at 2:00 p.m. A reception will thereafter ensue.