Thomas H. Williams
Biographical Information
Author and educator Thomas H. Williams was born on September 11, 1944 in Preston County, West Virginia. He received a BA degree in secondary education from Fairmont State College in 1967 and immediately began work as a teacher in Lewisburg, West Virginia, where he taught biology, general science, and industrial arts at Lewisburg High School, and later after consolidation, taught biology and environmental science at Greenbrier East High School. He completed a MA degree in science education at West Virginia University in 1970, specializing in botany and ecology.After completing fifteen years as a classroom teacher, Williams entered a doctoral program at Virginia Tech and received the Ed. D. in education administration in 1986. He continued his career in public education, serving as Director of Student and Community Services for six years at the Lewisburg Campus of Bluefield State College. He served as director of instruction for Monroe County Schools in Union, WV, and later was selected as superintendent of schools.
In 1991, Thomas Williams was employed by West Virginia Wesleyan College as a faculty member in the Education Department where he currently serves with the rank of Professor of Education and is a former chairperson of the department. During a sabbatical leave, he wrote A History of Bonafield School, Preston County, WV, which included oral interviews of children who attended the school and summaries of newspaper accounts of school events. During his tenure as a faculty member, Williams has written numerous handbooks, accreditation documents, and policy manuals.
In 1997, his novel, Greenbrier! Valley of Hope, was published by Bookwrights of Charlottesville, VA. The book, his first attempt at fiction writing, is an historical novel inspired by the Battle of Lewisburg fought in 1862 between forces of the Union and Confederate armies. The story focuses on Boyd Houston, a raw Confederate recruit, who is forced to confront his own beliefs about violence, slavery, and his growing love for the young slave girl who tends his wounds. Williams is currently writing a sequel to the book.
Tom Williams is an avid fly fisherman and makes annual excursions to Canada, the Outer Banks, and the Gulf of Mexico to fish for fresh and saltwater fish. He has two grown sons and one granddaughter. Williams currently lives in Buckhannon, WV.
Critical Responses
none available
Works Published
- Greenbrier! Valley of Hope
- A History of Bon
afield School, Preston County, WV
Selected Bibliography
none available
Author Website
none available