A Celebration of Life
Eloise Williams
ALA President 2000 - 2001
Past ALA President from 2000 - 2001, Eloise Williams of Birmingham, Alabama passed away on August 25, 2023. She was 95 years old. Many current ALA members remember her fondly. Below are some of the memories they'd like to share:
from Joette Reger
Many years ago when I was a new ALA member we made a memorable group visit to the giant sequoias in California. I can still picture Harold and Elouise, already married most of their lives, holding hands and walking and talking quietly to each other for hours under that towering canopy of trees. She was the consummate classy, well-educated, well-bred, well-spoken and intelligent Southern lady.
from Anne Santorelli
In October 2000 I was a member of NCLA (before I had joined ALA) and was given the task of picking Elouise up from her hotel in downtown Washington DC, and taking her to our annual luncheon for the Supreme Court Justices’ Spouses at Congressional Country Club and then to the airport afterwards. She was such an interesting person and full of southern charm combined with such a broad spectrum of knowledge. I wish I could have driven her around all day! And then a week or so later a package arrived in the mail - it was a lovely tote bag with the Stars and Stripes on it and a lovely note thanking me for my driving duties! When I did join ALA it was always such a joy to be in her presence and also to get to know Harold.
from Mary Ellen Borgelt
How sad I am to learn of the passing of Elouise. She was such a big part of “my intro” to ALA, as we were roommates at the Mid-Year Meeting in Orlando, which I think was in January 2010, 2011?…Not long after, Roger and I both came for the beautifully planned ALA Mid-Year Meeting in Atlanta, where she was honored at the beautiful, beautiful dinner as our Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, a richly deserved honor. Yes, “We nurture the rule of law for freedom’s sake.” Our Vision Statement, which I believe she coined maybe entirely and I can hear her reciting it as she stood before us — saying it gently, but firmly, beautifully, blithely, deeply felt. Elouise as a new friend in Orlando was delightful and easy to get to know, or at least to get a sense of her as the fine fine person and human being everyone is describing. Being a roommate is a great “extra” received even beyond the many rich blessings received in serving American Lawyers Alliance. Yes, we are serving a greater cause, a far greater one than any of us can truly imagine, yet she did much to inspire us toward the cause. Not only was Elouise sincere, lovely and loving, but she helped express so beautifully in words, deeds and friendship, what we are striving toward in this great organization for our great country. She captured it and enriched it for us. I am so grateful for Elouise Williams. Thank you, Elouise.
from Cathy Levinson
Thanks for reminding me that I met Elouise at the Annual Meeting in Orlando in 1996. That was when I was elevated from Pres Elect to ALA President for the 1996-1997 year. Elouise impressed everyone from then on. Harold amazed everyone with his excellent photos and winning smile which he graciously shared with ALA members who attended the various events and were in his photos. At our January 1999 mid-year meeting in Los Angeles, Elouise was officially asked to become President-Elect at ALA's annual meeting later that summer. After our Los Angeles meeting was adjourned with many good times and events, my husband Francis Izumi and I started to drive north from Los Angeles to spend two nights in Cambria so we could spend a day at Hearst's Castle. Unbeknownst to us, Elouise & Harold had made the same decision. We bumped into them at dinner the first night then went to Hearst's Castle together the next day for morning and afternoon tours. At dinners, it was apparent that Elouise was worrying about the responsibilities and impact on their lives of her being ALA President Elect and President. We discussed what was on Elouise's mind and what the job entailed. We four discussed it in depth. Francis and I explained that the responsibilities and activities really involved both of them. That understanding immediately caused Elouise to relax - and Harold too. They each began to feel much better about what lay before each of them and that they would work together. Francis and I, Stephanie & Bill Whitehurst, and Elaine & Harold Ross had emphasized including spouses in ALA events and activities. I was happy later when attorney husbands became members of ALA.
from Jeanne Skilton
I will miss Elouise. I will miss our phone calls. ALA was a big part of her life and she loved hearing about what was happening in the lives of ALA members after she was unable to come to the meetings. I will miss her appreciation for the rule of law. I will miss her enthusiasm about the travels to the ALA meetings. I will miss how important faith and her church were to her. I will miss her ability to solve a parliamentary procedure question. I will miss Elouise’s poems and songs about ALA and award winners. The following is part of the song that Elouise made up (from the song “Hey Look Me Over”) and rehearsed with us for our 50th anniversary luncheon:
“Hey look us over, we’re ALA Presidents together serving ABA
The name again has changed, but never let us fear
We boost Education Related to Law and Teacher of the Year.
So we are tied by our friendships one in our call
Inspiring our locals united in the law.
We are nurturing law for our free-dom’s sake. This vision is our game.
For Good Citizen-ship we proclaim!
from Cathy Bomberger
What an outstanding lady. I remember her attending her first ALA meeting ( I believe we were in FL) when she became President of the Birmingham auxiliary. Her enthusiasm was catching since previously she was not aware of ALA. Her contribution to our organization is far- reaching. The most important to me is our Vision statement, "We nurture the rule of law for freedom's sake". It is so significant to our lives. I also thank Harold for his many photos and support. What a couple. Our last time together was at the meeting in Sacramento.
from Nancy Butler
Knowing Elouise and Harold was a joy and a privilege. Harold was our official photographer for all the years that they attended our meetings. Elouise was a true "Southern Lady" always elegantly attired, soft spoken and very intelligent. I was delighted to discover that being from Alabama did not define her thinking. She truly believed in the Rule of Law and justice for all. I cherish the friendship we developed over the years we were together. She was a beautiful Lady.
from Natalie Aran
My heart is broken. Elouise and Harold were a part of my life since I was President of the California Law Advocates. She became a friend and he became the number one photographer. Elouise was my mentor and really talked me into taking the ALA Presidency in 2011-12. She was the most remarkable women I have ever known and have called her several times to ask if she was coming to a meeting. She was so stately and sweet and knowledgeable about even my personal life. If she had lived close to me I guarantee I would be over to her house often to ask advise. She did visit me at my house and I really treasure all the days that I have known her. Love forever.
from Janet Bullinger
I knew Elouise as a gentle Southern lady. Being from the north she was my vision of a true Southern belle. I knew of her as our ALA parliamentarian. Truly and lovely and accomplished lady.
from Elizabeth Mishkind
I was saddened to learn that Elouise had passed away. We attended so many meetings together. Too many and too long ago to remember well. Elouise was always an active member and took great interest in our group and mission and championed the ALA in many ways. We had good times during our wonderful meetings all over the country. She was my friend and I will miss her.
from Kitty O'Reilley
Elouise Williams – what a remarkable woman. She was one of the first people I met when I joined ALA. She made me feel very welcome and I always thought of her as the epitome of the “Southern Woman.” When she called me and asked me to take on the presidency of ALA in 2005, I was thrilled and terrified at the same time. She assured me that she would always be there if I needed her. Well, she kept her promise, and we had a wonderful relationship. She and Harold were a wonderful team and Patrick, and I had many wonderful times with them. In fact, I asked Harold to conduct the swearing in ceremony when I became president. As you can imagine, he was absolutely wonderful, and Elouise was right there by his side. Elouise was an incredibly smart woman – she even wrote lyrics for a song the Board performed at one of our meetings. She felt very deeply about civic education and how ALA could make a difference in our world. I feel so fortunate to have known her. She definitely left the world a better place for all she accomplished. She will be missed.
from Cheryl Lantz
She was the epitome of the Southern Lady and she was a grand person to know. We will all miss her deeply.
from Jennifer Benesh
I am so sorry to hear about Elouise. I only met her once, I believe, but I remember what a dear and lovely lady she was. I am so sorry to hear about her passing. I had always wished that I had met her sooner. She seemed to have all the qualities that I aspire to have. She was also very intellectual but humble at the same time. I know that she will be missed.
from Sue Patterson
Elouise was an elegant lady who served ALA in a thoughtful democratic manner. Her memories will be cherished by all who knew her.
from Rita Thompson
I don’t recall ever meeting her but after reading about her and all her accomplishments I regret not knowing her. She accomplished so much and is the example of the kind of women who have been the heart and soul of ALA.
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