Daniel A. Williams, 81, of Westminster, passed away on December 27, 2023 at Carroll Hospital Center after a brief illness. Born on May 8, 1942 in Frederick, Dan grew up in Baltimore and was a 1960 graduate of Baltimore City College. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland, and a master's degree and Ph.D from Johns Hopkins University.

In 2004 Dan retired after 31 years as professor of Spanish and Latin American history at Western Maryland College, where he was chair of the foreign language department for a number of years. Dan was an avid tennis player and won several Carroll County Tennis Association tournaments in the 35-and-over group in the 1980s. Local tennis fans of a certain age may recall some spirited marathon matches with his rival Jim Young at the Westminster Playground courts.

Surviving are his wife of 35 years Jenny Haifley Williams; sister Mary Ellen Lago of Baltimore; son Chris Williams and wife Colleen of Baltimore; daughter Casida O'Neill of Littlestown; nephew Sean Collier of Baltimore; sister and brother-in-law Carole and Terry Maner of Calabsh, NC, niece Sarah and Joseph McBurney of Seattle, WA, and nephew Josiah and Lindsey Maner of Eagle, CO. The family will receive friends on Saturday, December 30, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Fletcher Funeral & Cremation Services, 254 East Main Street, Westminster, MD 21157. A memorial service will begin at 12 noon. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the charity of your choice.