IRVINGTON—David Lee Williams, 71, died on July 26, 2025, at his home in Carlisle, Pa., with his wife by his side.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Julia Foley of Carlisle; his loving daughters, Carey Boughton Williams (husband Jed Jenny) of Sparks, Md., and Ashley McDonald Williams of Irvington; and his adoring grandsons, Stellan Boughton Jenny and Wilke Waller Jenny. He is also survived by his sister, Jenny Williams Robinson (husband Darrel); sister, Frances Lee Williams; and brother, Phillip Lee Williams.
David was preceded in death by his adored brother, Howard Sawyer Williams (wife Pam).
David was born on November 25, 1953, in Monterey, Calif., to Dr. M. Lee Williams and Shirley Sawyer Williams. He spent his formative years in Baltimore, Md., attending Calvert School. At the age of 11, David’s family moved to Boulder, Colo., where he spent nine months of the year skiing the Rockies, hunting, camping and deepening his lifelong appreciation for nature and adventure.
David attended Colorado State University in the Fall of 1972 where he met Suzy Fitch of Boulder, Colo. After graduation, David and Suzy married and moved east to Baltimore, where they started their careers and a family. David had a long banking career in Baltimore with M&T Bank where he exhibited his strong work ethic and loyalty to the company. He also served on the Board of Students Sharing Coalition, was a member of the Society of Cincinnati where he debuted his two daughters, was a member of the Elkridge Country Club and a supporter of marshland conservation through Ducks Unlimited.
Later in life, David and Julia Foley married and enjoyed life on their small farm surrounded by animals and the blue mountains. They became involved with the US Army War College in Carlisle, sponsoring several International Fellows (foreign officers obtaining advanced military degrees). David, in particular, was an ever present source of kindness and support to the IF’s and their families. He quickly became a favorite and dear friend.
Throughout his life, Irvington, specifically Carter’s Creek, remained a constant source of joy and adventure. Summers were spent at his Grandmother’s home in Historic Irvington on Lee Hill. David’s days were spent crabbing, fishing, sailing, swimming, boating and playing pranks on his siblings and many Lee family cousins—Randolphs, Fleets and Stephens. David took advantage of everything the Northern Neck had to offer from childhood until his last visit. His skills, stories, memories and love for Irvington and Carter’s Creek are shared by his children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews.
David was a collector, an avid bird hunter, a skilled sailor, took to foxhunting effortlessly, made world class bonfires and was an eminently talented builder. His charismatic energy and passion for life will be missed by all that knew him.
Funeral and memorial services will be held November 8 at Christ Church in Weems. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to a charity supporting the preservation of the Chesapeake Bay.
