Résumé

Draftsman, Schenck and Williams, Architects, Dayton, OH, 1938-1940. (See Dayton, Ohio, City Directory, 1938, p. 1515 and Dayton, Ohio, City Directory, 1939, p. 1452.) H. Roger Williams worked for Schenck and Williams as per his World War II draft registration card of 10/16/1940.

Associate, Harry J. Williams, E. Stewart Williams and H. Roger Williams, Architects AIA, Palm Springs, CA, 1941- . In 1948, their office was located at 36 The Plaza in Palm Springs. (See Palm Springs, California, City Directory, 1948, p. 105.)

Relocation

H. Roger Williams was born in Dayton, OH, where his father, Harry J. Williams, operated an architectural practice. When he was born the family made its home on Harvard Boulevard, where they would remain for many years.

According to the US Censuses of 1920 and 1930, they had their home at 1124 West Harvard Boulevard in Dayton. In the former year, the Williams household included his paternal grandmother, Harriet L. Williams, (born c. 1860 in NY) and and a maid, Mary E. Chibis,(perhaps "Chavis," born c. 1892 in KY). (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1920; Census Place: Dayton Ward 5, Montgomery, Ohio; Roll: T625_1420; Page: 12A; Enumeration District: 119, accessed 08/12/2019.)In 1930, the household expanded to include Harriet Williams, H. Roger's paternal grandmother, and Viella C. Stewart (1861-1940), his maternal grandmother, as well as their maid, Mary Eliza Chivis. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1930; Census Place: Dayton, Montgomery, Ohio; Page: 18A; Enumeration District: 0046; FHL microfilm: 2341588, accessed 08/12/2019.)

From at least 1936 until 1939, he and his wife lived at 1040 Cumberland Avenue, Apartment C, Dayton. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1936; Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: T715, 1897-1957; Microfilm Roll: Roll 5911; Line: 1; Page Number: 188, accessed 08/12/2019 and Dayton, Ohio, City Directory, 1939, p. 1452.) The US Census of 1940 indicated that he and his wife still lived at his father's Harvard Boulevard house, and they had had a son by this time. The household also included Roger Amerson Williams, his infant son born in 1939, and Harriet Williams. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1940; Census Place: Dayton, Montgomery, Ohio; Roll: m-t0627-03253; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 94-67, accessed 08/13/2019.)

His World War II draft registration card noted his address as 1124 Harvard Boulevard in Dayton, but this was crossed out and "R.R. #9, Box 366 A, Dayton, Ohio” typed above it. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation: The National Archives in St. Louis, Missouri; St. Louis, Missouri; Draft Registration Cards for Ohio, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 1582, accessed 08/26/2020.)

In 1946, He and D'Esta had a residence at 373 Monte Vista Drive, Palm Springs, CA. Harry J. Williams, also lived at this address at the time. (See Palm Springs, California, City Directory, 1946, p. 79.)H. Roger, D'Esta and Harry J. continued to live at this address in 1951. (See Palm Springs, California, City Directory, 1951, p. 99.) After his father's death in 1959, he remained at 373 Monte Vista Drive in 1961. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation The National Archives at Washington, D.C.; Washington, D.C.; NAI Number: 2990200; Record Group Title: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1787-2004; Record Group Number: 85; Series Number: A3555; NARA Roll Number: 1, accessed 08/13/2019.)

He died in Oakland, CA, and was buried in Welwood Murray Cemetery, Riverside, CA.

Parents

Roger Williams's father was Dayton architect, Harry J. Williams (born 11-04-1880 in Ithaca, NY-d. 08/27/1957 in Palm Springs, CA).

His mother was Una A Stewart (born 04/1881 in PA) She was raised in Susquehanna Depot, PA, a town known for its railroad manufacturing and bluestone quarries. She was the only daughter of a railroad foreman.

His brother was also an architect, Emerson Stewart Williams.

Spouse

He wed D'Esta Humberger (born 1913 in Dayton, OH).

Children

He and D'Esta had a son, Roger Amerson Williams, (born 01/29/1939 in Dayton, OH).

Biographical Notes

H. Roger Williams and his bride, D'Esta, sailed aboard the Furness Bermuda Line's R.M.S. Queen of Bermuda from Hamilton, Bermuda, to New York, NY, between 12/09/1936 and 12/11/1936. This was probably a return from a honeymoon vacation. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1936; Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: T715, 1897-1957; Microfilm Roll: Roll 5911; Line: 1; Page Number: 188, accessed 08/12/2019.)

According to his World War II draft registration card, H. Roger Williams had a “sallow” Caucasian complexion, stood 5-feet, 9-inches tall and weighed 150 pounds.

SSN: 298-09-4058.

• Dayton, OH (Architect's Birth)
  Dayton, OH 45401

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• Oakland, CA (Architect's Death)
  Oakland, CA 94612

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