Nate Williams Parents Featured in Heroism, Tragedy, and Scholarship Stories Across U.S.

Jan. 13, 2025 — Roanoke, Va. Friends and family endowed the Nathan Williams Scholarship with $100,000 to honor Virginia Tech alumnus Nate Williams, who died in 2020 at age 34 from colon cancer, as his Nate Williams parents and sister attended the Celebration of Generosity event on Nov. 15.

The scholarship, for underrepresented incoming freshmen in Virginia Tech’s College of Architecture, Arts, and Design, fulfilled Williams’ wish to support architecture students, his passion and profession. Funds came from over $60,000 raised via GoFundMe after his passing, plus contributions from the Williams family and anonymous donors. Nate Williams’ wife, Faith Williams, noted at the event,

“He never wanted to be known as the ‘sick’ friend… He just wanted to be the friend.”

She added that architecture was “his food and air.”

Friend Lenny Brown said,

“I’m just thrilled… so that his name will live on through this scholarship.”

Earlier Heroism in Rochester

Aug. 20, 2019 — Rochester, N.Y. Teen Nate Williams and Darius Dillard were honored by city council after breaking into a burning Emerson Street home to rescue a family of five strangers. Nate Williams parents, including father Nathaniel Williams Sr., who is Dillard’s uncle, praised their upbringing.

Nathaniel Williams Sr. said,

“I’m proud of them… That means that it’s something me and his mother teaching them to be good men.”

Nate Williams emphasized safety, stating,

“You don’t have any time to get anything out of the house, you just need to get out of the house.”

Mayor Lovely Warren declared “Darius Dillard and Nate Williams Day.”

Navy Officer’s Fatal Crash

April 7, 2011 — Oswego, N.Y. Nathan “Nate” Williams, a 28-year-old U.S. Navy weapons systems officer and son of city attorney Gay Williams, died in an F/A-18F Super Hornet crash during training near Lemoore Naval Air Station, California.

Oswego High School graduate Williams excelled in music, hockey, and lacrosse. Teacher Anthony Joseph recalled,

“Nathan was one of the finest musicians I ever had the pleasure of working with.”

High School Incident in Arizona

In 2017, Nate Williams parents in Chandler, Ariz., met with police and prosecutors after arrests at Hamilton High School, where Nate Williams was prosecuted as an adult in a fighting incident.

These stories highlight diverse contexts where Nate Williams parents have been referenced in news coverage of heroism, loss, and community tribute.