Henry "Fritz" N. Williams

Henry "Fritz" N. Williams, 82, died Monday, December 24, 2018. He grew up in Palmerton and returned there in retirement with Belva, his wife and soulmate of 58 years, and also a Palmerton native. Fritz enjoyed a long and productive career that incorporated several interrelated occupations. He worked as a Parish Priest at Episcopal churches in Philadelphia and Bucks County, and as a writer and producer at public television stations in Harrisburg and Detroit, and was a leader of the Baltimore Ethical Society, a non-theistic religious and ethical fellowship.

Fritz's most notable television productions include THE PENNSYLVANIA GERMANS, which played on Public Television stations across the country, and on German regional television; PEACEWORK, the centerpiece of a statewide campaign against family violence; TIDEWATCH, a loving and reflective visit with a friend who was dying of cancer; and WHEN I WAS A KID, in which Fritz tells stories based on things that happened to him when he was a youngster. He illustrated the stories with his own drawings.

Fritz wrote a number of articles which appeared in various publications, but especially in APPRISE, a magazine serving Public Television members in central Pennsylvania. He also authored INVESTING FOR LIFE, a book on saving and investment strategies for teenagers. In retirement he concentrated on writing and publishing poetry and short stories. Fritz and Belva shared a strong interest in contemporary economic, ecological, and ethical issues. And they loved hearing and making music together – she on keyboard and folk harp – he on guitar, recorder, harmonica, concertina, and clarinet. Fritz has donated his body to the Humanity Gifts Registry for use by students at a Pennsylvania medical university.

Survivors: Fritz is survived by a number of family members and lifelong friends, his wife Belva (Elliston), their daughter Julie Mintz, her husband Ken, and daughters Maria Spencer and Kayla Mintz; great-granddaughter, Lydia Spencer; his brother David Williams and his wife Marsha; sister Betty wife of Steve Babinchak; stepsister Janie Donchez; nieces and nephews; his friend, hiking and swimming buddy, Tommy Davies; and his long-distance friend Heike Brueck Winkelmann, with whom he corresponded in German for more than 30 years. Fritz and Belva were preceded in death by son David.

Services: A casual Memorial Gathering for close friends and family will be held in January at the Lehigh Gap Nature Center, 8844 PA Route 873, Slatington, PA 18080. Arrangements, Campton Funeral Home, Palmerton. Online Condolences: www.schislerfuneralhomes.com.

Contribution: Those who would like to make memorial gifts are urged to consider Palmerton Memorial Park Association, PO Box 33, Palmerton, PA 18071, or the Lehigh Gap Nature Center.