Obituary of Stephen G. Williams

Stephen Guion Williams, Sr.

February 21, 1942 - March 11, 2025

Stephen Guion Williams, Sr., 83, of Phoenixville, PA, passed away on March 11, 2025.

Stephen was born on February 21, 1942, in New York to Sarah (McLean) and John Stanton Willilams. He spent his early years in Old Chatham, NY, and graduated high school from Wooster School in Danbury, Connecticut. He attended Baker University and transferred to Kansas University where he graduated from the William Allen White School of Journalism.

In 1970, Stephen founded and co-directed the Photography Place with his partner, Tom Davies, in Berwyn, PA. It was a not-for-profit educational facility that grew into an organization with a national/international reputation. It was the first of its kind in Philadelphia and 20 years later spawned similar activity. Several well-known photographers of today exhibited their early work there. One of the Photography Place’s first exhibits was the work of Ansel Adams whom Steve befriended early in his career. Ansel remained an inspiration and mentor to him throughout his photography career.

He went on to be widely published as a photojournalist and fine art photographer. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Life Magazine, The Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, Philadelphia Magazine, and displayed in the James A. Michener Art Museum and The Philadelphia Museum of Art among many others. He published three photography books: “Chosen Land” and “A Place in Time”, both of which focused on the Shaker community in Maine, as well as “In the Middle”, which addressed the changing Inuit culture in Northern Canada.

His work was highly influenced by his childhood trips with his father, John S. Williams, who began collecting Shaker artifacts. His father’s love of this community led to an avid collection, culminating into the launch of the Shaker Museum in Old Chatham, NY, in 1950. Steve continued to be involved with the Shaker Museum in many ways including holding a seat on the Board of Directors.

Later in his career, Steve obtained a Masters Degree in Education from Temple University. Following post-graduate work with Jay D. Haley, one of the founding figures in the field of Family Therapy, Steve opened his counseling practice. In the years to come he worked with youth in the juvenile justice system along with their families.

Stephen will be remembered not only for his remarkable career but also for his kindness, generosity, and deep curiosity about the world. He had a profound love for learning about people and cultures, always eager to hear their stories and understand different perspectives. His warmth and wisdom left a lasting impact on those around him. Above all, he found immense joy in time spent with his family—especially his grandchildren—and in the loyal companionship of his beloved cats and dogs.

In addition to his parents, Stephen was predeceased by his stepmother, Mary Delafield; his brothers, John S. Williams Jr., Blair S. Williams II, and Warden M. Williams; and his step-siblings, Maturin L. Delafield and Mary (Molly) D. Hoddick. He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Donna Kurtz Elicker; his children, Stephen G. Williams Jr. (Lori), Mara Aptacy (Frank), Guion Williams (Sheryl), and Bryn W. Fox; his stepchildren, Thomas G. Elicker Jr. (Elizabeth) and Matthew K. Elicker (Elizabeth); and 16 grandchildren.

Services will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made in loving memory of Steve to the Shaker Museum at https://www.shakermuseum.us/forms-donate/donate.