Henry K. Williams, orchestra founder

Henry Kerr Williams, 97, an educator and composer who founded the Delaware Valley Philharmonic Orchestra in Bucks County, died Friday, Nov. 9, at Brittany Pointe Estates, a retirement community in Lansdale.

In 1954, the Delaware Valley Philharmonic introduced its first season with Mr. Williams as the music director and conductor. He conducted the orchestra until the early 1970s.

Mr. Williams "created a gem," wrote board president Don George in a tribute published in The Inquirer for the orchestra's 50th anniversary season.

In the early years, Mr. Williams was often the sole financial supporter, George said. "He and a small corps of professional musicians, who refused compensation, struggled through two years of planning before the orchestra debuted."

During his professional career, Mr. Williams wrote three symphonies, one string quartet, one woodwind quartet, a brass octet, chamber music, and three operas based on the Bible. He also composed music for more than 40 psalms. Fifteen were published as Musical Meditations on the Psalms.

Mr. Williams told Aging Well magazine that several of the meditations were dedicated to friends at Brittany Pointe Estates, where he lived for 15 years. His meditation for Psalm 1 was dedicated to Doris Krewson, the longtime organist at Brittany Pointe.

Mr. Williams led the singing at church services and for four years directed the Brittany Pointe Songsters. He composed the words and music for the Brittany Pointe alma mater.

A graduate of Northeast High School in Philadelphia, Mr. Williams earned a teaching certificate from Philadelphia Normal School and studied conducting and composition at Westminster Choir College in Princeton.

He taught music at Temple University and Cheltenham High School. Before founding the Delaware Valley Philharmonic, he was an assistant conductor with the Kansas City Philharmonic Orchestra.

After leaving the Delaware Valley Philharmonic, Mr. Williams conducted the former Valley Forge Philharmonic Orchestra.

"Although Henry never had a family of his own, he enjoyed spending time with many of his nieces and nephews, who found him very entertaining," his niece Victoria Tague said. "Henry had a real passion for living life to its fullest."

Mr. Williams lived in Northeast Philadelphia before moving to Brittany Pointe Estates.

He is survived by a brother, Stephen Kerr Williams. His brothers Thomas, Calvin, and Charles preceded him in death.

Friends may call Thursday, Nov. 15, from 7 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 8 at R.L. Williams Jr. Funeral Home, 3490 W. Skippack Pike, Skippack.

Donations may be made to Westminster Choir College at Rider University, 101 Walnut Lane, Princeton, N.J. 08540.