Paul F. Williams
1938-2026
Born with an innate fascination for the Earth’s landscapes—particularly in his native Northern England—Paul transformed that early passion into a distinguished career in geology. After completing his BSc at Durham University (Dunelm)—where he met Pam in Frosh Week—Paul embarked on a career in exploration geology with Zinc Corporation (Broken Hill Mines) in New South Wales and the Northern Territory, Australia. While in Broken Hill, Paul undertook an MSc with the University of NSW and then completed his PhD at the University of Sydney.
The following years saw Paul, Pam, and their growing family travel, live, and work in many countries in association with a variety of universities. Paul joined the University of New Brunswick as chairman of the Geology department in 1980. His textbook, An Outline of Structural Geology (Hobbs, Means and Williams), was regarded as one of the most influential structural geology texts of the 20th century. He mentored about 50 graduate students and post-doctoral fellows, many of whom are world leaders in structural geology. In the words of one: he’ll always be there in his students, “grand-students”, and beyond.
Whilst at UNB, Paul was influential in guiding the development of structural geology in Canada. He was a Distinguished Fellow of the Geological Association of Canada and a recipient of many professional accolades including—as its first recipient—a medal struck in his honour by the Canadian Federation of Earth Sciences for outstanding achievements both as a mentor and scientist. He served on the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) reviewing the Nuclear Fuel Waste Management Program in the 1980s and 90s. He was an early adopter of technology in his work, including on the integration of geomatics and satellite image analysis with geosciences. Paul's work—spanning numerous field studies, publications, and collaborations—left a lasting imprint on the field of geology and he was proud to be recognized as Professor Emeritus at UNB, the university he called home.
When Paul retired, it was said that he had spent more nights in his career under canvas than at home. Paul's family invariably accompanied him in these travels, starting with his first new-born daughter at 2 weeks of age. He fondly recalled camping in so many mountain ranges and regions of the world (Antarctica, Australia, Scandinavia, Italy, and the Canadian Monashees to name a few). Paul enjoyed good food, especially when made by Pam. His Cox’s Orange Pippins apple tree and vegetables were tenderly nurtured. Thanksgiving dinner at Tweedside was always a turkey with all the trimmings cooked in a Dutch Oven on an open fire, evoking memories of so many family meals around a campfire during his fieldwork days.
Many of Paul’s interests spoke to his love and knowledge of the natural world gained over many years of globe-trotting. Birds anywhere and everywhere were a passion. Skiing in the Alps and the treasured weekly ritual of cross-country skiing with his family in the UNB Woodlot created abiding memories. Mountains and rock-climbing—a love shared with Pam—started in the University Climbing Club. As a “Castle man” at Durham, the ropes were handy to bypass the locked castle-residence gates whenever he returned too late from extended outings with Pam! He continued this skill in his mountaineering with friends, especially in the Alps. Water was a constant—living on a boat in Sydney Harbour with a young family and later on beside the canals of Zuid Holland and working along the Norwegian fjords. He taught his daughters to sail on the windy waters of the Dutch Kagerplassen, the headpond at Mactaquac, and Oromocto Lake. Many years of geological mapping in Newfoundland—accessing outports by dory—blended the life of a hard-working geologist with a mariner’s lust for adventure. Canoeing and kayaking, including on longer family trips, were special times for a man who was always the great outdoorsman.
All the life experiences Paul and Pam shared with their four “bairns” gave them strong roots and wings for life. It gave him great pleasure to see his daughters as the happy and successful women they became.
Paul had a beautiful singing voice and music was ever-present in his life. With Pam playing the piano or accordion, he would often sing, whistle, or accompany on the harmonica, songs of his youth, sea shanties, Australian ballads, and anything else that took his fancy. The “original six” fondly remember many a time driving to his next field area singing lustily in harmony all the way.
From his early days in Lancashire, with its colourful Viking past, he was drawn to Norse mythology and history. He read voraciously on a range of subjects—especially archaeology and exploration—and remained a fascinating conversationalist until his last days.
The son of talented artists, his gifted hands excelled in woodworking and leatherworking. In his last years, he became a dedicated sourdough baker, feeding the starter and shaping the bread with finesse.
Love of horses, he shared with his girls and grandchildren. He relished the years where he could pursue, with Pam, his dream—to be a farmer—on his hobby farm in Harvey, “Rowanbeck”. The rhythms of the seasons on the farm and his love for his draft horses (Clydesdale and Shires) and flock of Shetland sheep were woven through his post-retirement years. It gave Paul special pleasure to impart his love of the farm to his grandchildren, who he cherished dearly. He was proud of every one of them and their many and varied accomplishments in life. Although he never had sons, he found the deep bonds, companionship, and necessary farm labour in his sons-in-law Larry, Peter, Robert, and Bevan.
Paul was stoic and courageous living with Parkinson’s for 23 years; he received exceptional support from his medical team, Outreach, and Extramural. In the last few months, Pine Grove Nursing Home provided tender and professional care to him and so much kindness—also to his family—at the end. Parkinson's robbed Paul of many faculties and pleasures, but he still found a way—through sheer determination and the efforts of Pam (UNB BN ‘93), his family, friends, and committed caregivers (who became family)—to enjoy his time and the pleasure of everyday moments with quiet grace and dignity. Of the many caregivers at home over the years, it was Wendy, Sally, and Tamara who gave so much, working alongside Pam and family. Together, they all ensured that he always had a sunny start to every day, a comfortable bedtime routine, great food, ginger tea, the right clothes and hat, adjusted just so. Paul rarely went without doing his squats and other exercises at some point in the day. He enjoyed playing Dice, Scrabble, and Quirkle and made sure he played to win to avoid forfeiting his Terry’s Orange stash.
Ever the scientist, Paul wished to donate his body for medical research; arrangements will be shared for a celebration of life following the conclusion of this final scientific collaboration.
Paul is survived by his wife Pam; his daughters Sonja Scribner (Larry), Elspeth Hagan (Peter), Gretchen Haché (Robert), and Kirsty Lock (Bevan); his grandchildren Dusty (Emily), Findlay (Beth), Marianne, Janine, Flint, Lucas, Tariq, Katherine (Luke), and Ramzy (Jeremy); his great-grandsons, Campbell and Andrew; and many loving and loved nieces and nephews and their families. He is also survived by his beloved little sister Pat, his brother-in-law Geoff, and his sisters-in-law Elizabeth, Sheila, and Jill. He is predeceased by his parents, Fred and Grace, his sister Denita, his in-laws, Richard and Mary, and his many brothers- and sisters-in-law with whom he had great adventures and happy times.
Donations may be made to Parkinson Canada, an organization for the unhoused, or a charity of your choice.