Page 25 - Senior Link Magazine Spring 2026 - Online Magazine

EXCEPTIONAL SENIORS

events and conferences, Don would introduce her, “This
is Laurie Doyle, and she helps me.” “Not that I was
a colleague, co-director, or friend, just that I ‘helped
him.’ Now that I am older, I can think of no greater
compliment than to be known as the person who helped
Don Williams while he was at LCU. Thank you, Don, for
that opportunity.”

The Personal Side: Spur and Family
Despite his stature at LCU, Williams has always
remained a "small-town boy" at heart. His life is
anchored by his 1950s upbringing in Spur, a place that
continues to fuel his creative writing. He has authored
five plays, including The Man in the Cotton Field, which
celebrated LCU’s 50th anniversary in 2007.
The Master of the Stage and the "TEXAS" Legacy
His personal life is a testament to the same loyalty he
Despite his high-level administrative roles, Williams shows the university. He and his wife, Phyllis, have
is perhaps most beloved for his work in the theater. raised two daughters, Kristi and Keri, in the LCU
To his students, he was always "Doc," a director who community. For the Williams family, the university
demanded excellence but offered unwavering support. isn't just a workplace; it is a home. One of their
Over his career, he directed or co-directed more most cherished traditions is returning to Spur every
than 60 theater productions at LCU, ranging from December 23 to sing carols and see Christmas lights
Shakespearean classics to contemporary dramas and with friends he has known for nearly eighty years.
musical comedies.

Since 1990, Williams has also chaired the committee
for “Master Follies,” LCU’s premier variety show.
Under his guidance, Follies became more than just a
talent show; it became a rite of passage for students, a
celebration of community that remains a highlight of
the university calendar to this day.

Contributions Through Friendship and Mentorship

What truly sets Doc Williams apart is his philosophy
of friendship. He has often stated that teachers are
"rich" not because of their bank accounts, but because
of the lifelong relationships they forge with their
students. This isn't just a sentiment; it is a practice he
has lived for 56 years. He viewed every rehearsal as an
opportunity to mentor, and every classroom lecture as
a chance to build a bridge.

In 2016, his commitment to student-centric
education took a literal turn. While producing his
autobiographical play, Through My Eyes, Williams
and co-director Laurie Doyle took the entire cast
on a "living field trip" to his hometown of Spur. He
walked them through the streets, introduced them to
the real-life inspirations for the characters they were
portraying, and allowed them to see the roots of the
stories they were telling on stage. It was a masterclass EMILY AND LINDA TEAM
in how personal history and artistic expression are
inextricably linked. As Laurie remembers at such WESTMARK, REALTORS®
806.441.6000 | EMILYANDLINDATEAM.COM

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