Obituaries

Tyrone Williams, professor and David Gray Chair of Poetry and Letters in the Department of English, died March 11 shortly after a cancer diagnosis. He was 70.

Williams joined the College of Arts and Sciences faculty in 2022, where he was appointed the David Gray Chair of Poetry and Letters, one of the most prestigious academic positions in poetry in the country. He was widely regarded as one of the leading American poets of the late-20th and early-21st centuries. Embodying a rare combination of extraordinary brilliance and generosity, he was beloved and admired by his contemporaries, and also served as an influential and adored mentor to many younger poets.   

Williams began his teaching career at Xavier University, where he served as chair of the university’s English department from 2000-06 and earned the rank of professor. He also taught at Wayne State University, where he received his BA, MA and PhD.

During his long career, Williams taught a wide variety of courses, specializing in African American literature, modern American literature, literary theory and creative writing. He was the author of eight full-length volumes of poetry and numerous critical articles and reviews. His first chapbook of poetry was published in 1987. Williams was an exemplary poet-scholar, as both a practitioner of and a leading academic expert in experimental poetry and poetics.

Williams traveled extensively, giving poetry readings at venues across the country and internationally, as well as presenting critical papers at numerous academic conferences. An important figure in the poetry community, he wrote innumerable reviews for books by both new and established authors, while also acting as a judge for prizes and publications, and being awarded a number of literary residencies.

In his short time in Buffalo, Williams had already made a profound impact on graduate and undergraduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences, and on poets in the larger Buffalo community. He will be greatly missed as a professor, colleague, mentor and friend.

In addition to his accomplishments in academia, Williams was a founding member of the Winton Community Free Methodist Church in Cincinnati. He filled many roles at the church, including delegate and pulpit supply. His favorite memory of church was teaching vacation bible school.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. March 23 at the Winton Community Free Methodist Church, 700 East Epworth, Cincinnati. Memorials may be made to the Winton Community Free Methodist Church in support of the church’s community ministry work, as well as a prize in Williams’ name for emerging poets. Checks can be mailed to 722 McMakin Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45232, or payments may be made via PayPal. Online condolences can be left at TP White & Sons Funeral Home.