Lou Williams, IABC Fellow, Founder of L.C. Williams & Associates, Has Passed Away
By Diane Laux, ABC
The communication field lost a hometown hero over the holidays with the passing of IABC Fellow Louis C. Williams, Jr. ABC, APR on December 27, 2017, at the age of 77. In his public relations career, both as an individual contributor and through his Chicago firm, L.C. Williams & Associates, Lou had a tremendous influence on brands, companies and entire industries.
We’re forever grateful for his leadership, counsel and support to IABC Chicago as a past president and board member. His influence was felt throughout the international organization, and he served as a former IABC Chair, International Executive Board Member and Executive Director.
Lou was a champion for accreditation and lifetime learning, and an early advocate for the value of research and measurement. It was L.C. Williams & Associates Research Group that – pro bono – conducted and analyzed the research for IABC’s groundbreaking Value of Accreditation Study initiated by the Chicago chapter in 2007.
A “big picture” person and strategic thinker, what resonates most with me was his call for stories. Though it was a conversation we had 25 years ago about a PR campaign, I can still hear Lou saying, “Yes, do the research. Set meaningful goals? Absolutely. But tell a story. Take ‘em on a ride. A voyage. THAT’S how to engage people.”
Lou was ridiculously intelligent and wry. Passionate for the arts, travel, life and life partner, wife Mary Moster, who also is recognized internationally for her PR impact. Their own story began when their PR careers crossed more than 30 years ago.
Tip your hat, raise a toast, send out a good vibe to the universe in honor of our great friend, Lou Williams.
Memorials may be made in Lou’s honor to Birch Creek Music Performance Center or Unity Hospice.
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