Stephen Douglass Williams was born in Shelbyville and grew up in Bedford, the only child of newspaper publisher Robert and Gladys Williams, both of whom preceded him in death. He was a graduate of DePauw University and entered the IU School of Medicine in 1967. He then completed a medical residency and internship at IU (l97l-72 and 1975-76) before completing his IU medical oncology fellowship (1976-78). In 1978, Dr. Williams became a faculty member of the IU School of Medicine and was the first appointed oncologist at the Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center.

In August, 2008, at the dedication of the expanded IU Simon Cancer Center, Dr. Williams was presented with the President’s Medal for Excellence; Indiana University’s highest faculty honor. The remarkable progress made during Dr. Williams’ leadership came to light during the IU Simon Cancer Center’s 2008 NCI grant renewal process: In 1994, the center’s extramural research funding totaled $16 million; today it is over $75 million. The number of scientific members of the cancer center has doubled; more than 220 investigators now focus on the scientific discovery and translation of basic, clinical and population science into new prevention, diagnostic and treatment modalities. In 1994, 2,000 new patients visited the IU Cancer Center; today, more than 3,400 new patients visit the center each year. Moreover, a $50 million naming gift from Melvin and Bren Simon in 2006 signified a “coming of age” for the cancer program that Dr. Williams had been charged with building and directing. In addition to directing the IU Simon Cancer Center, Dr. Williams served as the HH Gregg Senior Chair in Oncology and Associate Dean of Cancer Research at the IU School of Medicine.

Patients and colleagues appreciated Dr. Williams as an approachable, encouraging and effective leader. His determination to create a world-class cancer research enterprise was bolstered by his sincere commitment to patients. Dr. Williams promoted the center’s science-to-solution agenda — commonly referred to as translational research — throughout his tenure. He would shake his head, chuckling and marveling at the intellect of cancer center scientists and the power of their research to cure patients. He was brilliant, but humble, and always optimistic. Dr. Williams’ commitment to his professional life was exceeded only by his devotion to his family.

Dr. Williams earned national recognition as a physician researcher for his role in investigating the successful use of chemotherapy in the treatment of ovarian and testicular germ cell tumors. He was consistently ranked nationally among cancer care specialists in America’s Top Doctors for Cancer. During his tenure, the cancer center was consistently ranked among the top clinical programs in the country in U.S. News & World Report. Family, friends and colleagues joined with Dr. Williams on Jan. 12 to celebrate his Sagamore of the Wabash awarded by Gov. Mitch Daniels.

Dr. Williams authored and co-authored 158 scientific, peer-reviewed publications, 95 abstracts and 42 textbook chapters on the diagnosis and treatment of genitourinary tumors. He served in numerous leadership roles with the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Gynecologic Oncology Group and on a grant review committee of the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Stephen Douglass Williams, 62, died of cancer — the very disease to which he dedicated his career — on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009.