Karl D. Williams

February 19, 1947 - April 16, 2012
Karl D. Williams

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Karl David Williams, 65, passed away peacefully Monday afternoon, April 16, 2012 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center surrounded by his family.

Karl was born in Pittsburg, PA, on February 19, 1947, son of the late Joseph Williams and Alice Nordquist Williams.

Karl was an only child, he graduated from South Hills High School in 1965, received his B.S. in Mathematics/Computer Science and M.A. in International Finance from the University of Pittsburgh. After graduation, Karl’s passion was work; traveling worldwide for the majority of his life developing and instructing training courses for the Six Sigma. He enjoyed golfing, but more than anything, Karl was a dedicated father who spent his life away from work devoted to raising his two sons, Jason Ross Williams, Karl Clayton Warwick Williams, both of Wilmington, NC. A kind, loving heart is at rest, and gentle soul at peace, Karl’s heart and soul were his sons. He is also survived by Janna Goodman Williams.

Selected by President George H.W. Bush as a founding member of the Presidential Task Force on Quality and Improvement in 1990, Karl visited and consulted at over 125 companies in 22 countries. He wrote the book “Continuous Improvement and Reengineering” for the Harvard University Business School in 1994. His consulting project experience with large corporations, including Bank of America, Motorola, Reuters, Xerox, BAE Systems, Shell Oil, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Department Of Defense, Intelligence Community, Home Land Security and the Pentagon.

Certificates/Professional Memberships: Member of IEEE Computer Society, Former Malcolm Baldrige Auditor, Former SEI CMM / CMMI Trainer and Lead Appraiser, LSS Green Belt, Black Belt and Master Black Belt certified. He held a Top Secret Security Clearance.

A Celebration of Karl’s life will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday April 21, 2012, at Saint Andrews On-the-Sound Church. Reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall, where the family will celebrate with friends.

In lieu of flowers the family ask that donations be made to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice in Wilmington NC.

Please share memories and condolences with the family by clicking on the “Sign Guest Book” tab above.

Wilmington Funeral and Cremation, 1535 S. 41st Street, Wilmington, NC 28403 910.791.9099


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  • April 25, 2012
    Micki (Miriam) Roteman says:
    To the family of Karl Williams, Karl was a brilliant student in my English class at South Hills High School. Always reliable and a deep thinker, Karl has remained in my memory for over 45 years ... part of a very special group of students I was honored to teach. Please accept my condolences in this time of sorrow. Micki (Miriam) Roteman

  • April 24, 2012
    Suzanne Pascarosa Smith says:
    I knew Karl in high school. He was a sweet person then and obviously he continued to be so. My sympathy to all who loved him. Sue Smith

  • April 20, 2012
    Richard David Williams says:
    I didn't know Karl but I wanted to extend my sympathy as a South Hills High School, June 1960 grad. and an active member of the school's alumni association.

  • April 21, 2012
    Ted and Ron says:
    To the Family of Karl D. Williams Our hearth felt condolences and sympathies to your family.

  • April 23, 2012
    Steve Alm says:
    I haven't seen Karl since college. We went to high school and college together and he patiently spent a few rounds of golf with me. All this time goes by and yet I miss him when I hear of his passing. Glad to have known you, KarlDAGEN

  • April 23, 2012
    Jim Woodside says:
    I am so sorry to hear about Karl. We went to South Hills together and where good friends. My condolences are with the family.May these good Lord been with you at your time of need.RIP Karl Woody

  • May 17, 2012
    Justin Garza says:
    I never meet you karl but I have made good friends with your son jason and wanted to pay my respects for raising a great guy. Jason has reached out and helped me on countless things providing me with friendship, business advice and always willing to throw a helping hand. Just judging by your son's character I can only manage the man you where to raise someone as kind as him. May you rest and peace.

  • April 23, 2012
    Phyllisjo Haduch Dempsey says:
    I was so sorry to hear of Karl's passing. Although I hadn't been in touch with him, I am friends with those who are. The Karl I remember from school was a good, kind person. I hadn't realized what great contributions he made over his lifetime until I read the obit today. The world needs more people like him.

  • April 23, 2012
    Bill Allen says:
    We were just boys when we shared many golden memories. Karl, when my time comes, I expect you to be there with a broken-in infielder’s glove and a solid Hillerich-Bradsby so that we can run through that field of dreams once again.

  • April 23, 2012
    Sam Prepelka says:
    So sad to hear one of our old buddies from South Hills High has been so prematurely taken away. We are with you all in your sorrow.. Sam

  • April 24, 2012
    Lynn Kanell Jupina says:
    I am so sorry to hear of Karl's passing. I went to South Hills High School and the University of Pittsburgh with him. He was always so very kind and thoughtful. How wonderful to read the tributes that his wife and sons wrote on Facebook and to know that this gentle man not only touched many people but had such great influence on the world around him. May the memories you have of him provide you comfort in the coming months.

  • April 24, 2012
    Katie McKenzie Hershey says:
    To Karl's family, As a member of the class of 1965 I send you my sincere sympathy. I remember the confusion with two brilliant Karl Williams in the class. They both handled it with lots of humor. Having moved to Lanc. Co. 40 years ago I haven't kept up with much of my classmates successes. I was very happy to see the info that showed Karl really lived up to his potential. The world and our government lost a wonderful person. Sincerely, Katie McKenzie Hershey

  • April 20, 2012
    Susan Crowley Rigby says:
    I am so sorry to hear about Karl's passing. I went to grade school and high school with him. He was always sweet, kind and exceptionally smart! We re-connected a few years ago and I found him to be the same; but with the added bonus of hearing about his 2 much loved sons. We emailed and had great phone conversations. We tried to name everyone in our grade school pictures and of course Karl remembered the most names. I was hoping to get a chance to see him in person but time isn't always on our side. He will be missed.