Cdr. DANIEL N. WILLIAMS, USN (Ret.) Commander Daniel Nicholas Williams, of Norfolk, Virginia, died February 15, 2012 in Salisbury, Maryland at the home of his daughter, Kathleen Williams Mommé, surrounded by his loving family. Danny was born on September 10, 1920 in St. Louis, Missouri, son of the late Robert Paul and Mary Healy Williams. He was predeceased by his wife, Pat Williams, and his brother and sister, Vincent Williams and Philomena Ivy. Following graduation from St. John's College High School where he was both an honors student and outstanding athlete, Danny continued his studies over the years at American University, Columbia Law School and George Washington University. In 1942, he began his distinguished United States Naval career which took him around the world on many tours of duty including assignments at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD, USS LST 45, USS Pittsburgh, USS Juneau, USS Missouri, USS Brownson and many Naval Hospitals throughout the United States. He served in
World War II in both the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre and the American Theatre. Among numerous awards and medals, he received a Navy Commendation from Admiral R.A. Spruance, Com Fifth Fleet; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign; American Campaign; Navy Occupation Service; World War II Victory; Good Conduct; National Defense Service; the Association of Military Surgeons Honorary Medal; three citations for heroic action and four life saving commendations. Danny was one of the pioneers of the National Tissue Transplant Bank at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, which was the first of its kind in the world. He specialized in the medical and legal aspects of human tissue transplantation. His role in drafting the first comprehensive law governing transplantation was key to the official Congressional law passed in 1955. Memberships included The Association of Military Surgeons, The Retired Officers Association, The Fleet Reserve Association,
Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion, The USS Missouri Association, The Disabled American Veterans and the Knights of Columbus. Following retirement in 1974, Danny spent thousands of hours annually volunteering with DePaul Hospital, Holy Trinity Church, the Veteran's Administration, Meals on Wheels and the Juvenile Court System. In addition to his volunteer efforts, Danny enjoyed reading, travelling, dancing with the Virginia Shag Club, fishing, spending summer vacations with all his children and grandchildren in Nagshead, NC, and making all around him smile by sharing his great Irish jokes and stories. He is survived by his one son, Daniel Nicholas Williams, II (Leesburg, VA); three daughters, Patricia Ann Koehler (Silver Spring, MD), Theresa Marie Ceglowski (Roanoke, VA) and Kathleen Denise Mommé (Salisbury, MD); devoted sons-in-law, Robert Koehler and Andrew Mommé; 17 grandchildren; David Riggin, Alicia Fisher, Robert Koehler, Jr., Jacqueline Shepherd, Lauren Williams, Alexandra Williams, Alyson Williams, Shannon Williams, Kevin Ceglowski, Liz Hutton, Eric Ceglowski, Mary Austin, Caitlin Ceglowski, Daniel Ceglowski, Drew Mommé, Julie Anne Mommé and Michael Patrick Mommé. He will also be dearly missed by nine great grandchildren, numerous loving nieces and nephews, many cousins in County Cork, Ireland, his devoted friend, Sharon Furlough...and many caring DePaul Hospital Volunteers and Staff. A funeral service will be held in the Post Chapel at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors at 8:45 a.m. on May 31, 2012. Memorial contributions may be made to The United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore, Suite 202, 801 North Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, Maryland 21801. Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home, 501 Snow Hill Rd. Salisbury, Maryland 21804.To send condolences to the family visit:Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home, 501 Snow Hill Rd. Salisbury, Maryland 21804.To send condolences to the family visit:
www.hollowayfh.com.
