Obituary
Paul D. Williams, MD, passed away at age 71 on December 6, 2025, surrounded by his family.
Born on May 13, 1954, in Winchester, Connecticut, Paul was the son of Howarth and Shirley Williams. He pursued his passion for learning and medicine at Dartmouth College, where he received both his undergraduate and medical school degrees. He then moved to Cleveland, OH to complete his pediatrics residency at Rainbow Children’s Hospital. He then pursued a fellowship in Adolescent Medicine at Cleveland General Hospital (now MetroHealth Medical Center), where he later served as an attending physician.
While working at Cleveland General Hospital, Paul met the love of his life, Dr. Debra Bunch Williams whom he married on October 22, 1989. The couple later moved to Lee’s Summit, MO where Paul joined Pediatric Associates in Kansas City. Over the course of his career, he cared for countless young patients and was deeply respected for his gentle presence, steady leadership, and unwavering dedication.
Paul lived a life filled with curiosity and adventure. He had a deep passion for biking and spent countless hours cycling on roads and trails. He was also a skilled small plane pilot. Paul was always proud of the fact that he obtained his pilot’s license before his driver’s license at the age of 16. He loved to travel including a cross-country bike ride throughout France and scuba diving in Roatan, Honduras.
Paul was a devoted father to his children: Christopher (Cydney) Williams, Sarah Williams, and Lynn Williams. He was especially proud to be a grandfather to his beloved granddaughter, Kit. He is also survived by his sister, Deb (Gene) Theriault; his brother, Norman (Karla Mills) Williams; his niece, Anne (Zach) Walsh; and his nephew, Stephen (Jena Hecker) Theriault.
Paul will be remembered for his kindness, compassion, adventurous spirit, and the love he shared with everyone fortunate enough to know him.
A visitation will be held Saturday, February 28, 2026 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. with a service to follow at 2:30 p.m. at Langsford Funeral Home in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Paul’s name may be made to the Dartmouth School of Medicine, Geisel MD Student Scholarship Fund (https://dhgeiselgiving.org, located under “Geisel Student Support”) or the Smithsonian Institute (si.edu/support, please check the “in memory of ” checkbox)
Condolences
Visitation
Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
Services
Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
Debbie, Chris, Sarah and Lynn,
Such a fitting tribute to such an amazing man with whom you were blessed to call Husband and Dad – he truly was a man of many talents! His love for his children was evident by the attention he always gave to every activity each one was a part of – if there was an event they were a part of, Paul and Debbie were there cheering them on and beaming with pride! He was Debbie’s constant, always there to be her steady, her rock and always lending his ear to her thoughts, ideas and truly engaging with her – a true testament to what marriage should be. While your lives will be forever changed by his absence, the memories you each created and experienced with him will be what helps you to move forward and forge life’s new path – and he will be right there with you. God Bless and know you are loved by so many.
Debbie I was so sorry to hear about Paul he was so very special to my dad. Prayers and thoughts with you and your children at this time.
I am very saddened to learn about Paul’s passing. I remember our time together at Dartmouth with great fondness. My condolences to all who love him.
So sorry for your loss. Brothers are very special and know you will miss him. Prayers and tears are with you and your family at this time.🙏🏻
A nice memory I have of Paul dates back to our pre-middle school years while we lived as neighbors on Dalton Street. His dad spent his spare time building a small plane, section by section, in their garage. I was fascinated whenever I’d see completed portions brought out into the driveway. Paul would be right there with his dad to both observe and help, so it doesn’t surprise me that he also became a skilled small plane pilot like his father.
Paul was witty and so very smart. I also recall his passion for photography. Though he listed our high school class yearbook as “his pet peeve” (was this really true?), he was our designated photographer, having provided many great, spontaneous shots to record a long-lasting impression upon us of our youthfulness. To bring two of his favorite activities together, Paul took flight above our town to take a beautiful aerial shot of Watertown High School and the surrounding properties for our yearbook centerfold. Among his other accolades, he was our Senior Class President, and graduated as the Class of 1972 Valedictorian.
Though we were no longer in touch after high school, I am very thankful to learn of his beautiful family, his special work with children, his wonderful achievements, contributions and the spirited adventures he enjoyed over his short lifetime, a life well lived.
Well Lived
A life well lived is a precious gift
Of hope and strength and grace,
From someone who has made our world
A brighter, better place.
It’s filled with moments, sweet and sad
With smiles and sometimes tears,
With friendships formed and good times shared
And laughter through the years.
A life well lived is a legacy
Of joy and pride and pleasure,
A living, lasting memory
Our grateful hearts will treasure.
-author unknown
Thank you for being a part of my life, Paul.
Rose (DiPrimio) Soboleski
Oakville, CT
Deb and family, my sincere sympathy as you know the respect and love I was blessed to have for Paul. God bless each of you
❤️
Although Paul and my lives deviated from our time together as friends and roommates our early undergraduate years together at Dartmouth College; he will always be the extremely kind, hardworking, compassionate, intelligent, and caring individual I had the honor to know. My heart aches with his loss and grieves for his family. He will forever remain a cherished friend.
Paul was a Dartmouth Medical School (now Geisel School of Medicine) classmate, and a fellow Dartmouth College graduate. I was saddened to learn of his passing in the most recent issue of Alumni Class Notes. Our shared experience as medical students created a strong bond as a class during those formative years in our medical careers, and I have fond memories of his wit and kindness. Though “round the girdled earth (we) roamed, her spell on (us)remains…and the granite of New Hampshire is made part of (us) ’til death.” I know 7 years in Hanover impacted his life significantly and he carried those lessons forward into a full and productive life. He is one of the many DMS ’80 members who have made the world a better place through his life and work. My deep sympathy and condolences to his family and friends for their loss.