Mark Kevin alec Williams

 Mark Williams or "Chip" as he was known to his family and friends, was an avid naturalist, and an extraordinarily gifted, artist, musician, poet, philosopher, film-maker, writer and actor.  Born and initially educated in Columbus, Ohio he attended school in Los Angeles and briefly in St Thomas, Virgin Islands before returning to the states.  After graduating with honors from the prestigious, Northfield Mount Hermon private school in Massachusetts, Mark went on to California State University Los Angeles where he was named to the Dean's List for academic achievement with a grade point average of 3.0.  His astonishing creative talents were just beginning to explode.  Majoring in Telecommunications, Mark wrote two full-length feature film scripts. He wrote, directed, produced and filmed his own television commercial while developing several comedy pilot treatment ideas for commercial television.  By all accounts, at age 20 he was already a master in everything he touched.

However, during semester break Mark left for a fishing and hiking trip in the mountains of the Angeles National Forest. He never returned. On March 26, 1977, his snow-covered body was found alongside a hiking trail. It was presumed he was caught in a sudden rain and snow storm. Not long after his father, actor Hal Williams, established a scholarship fund to honor Mark and give students who have chosen to follow the same creative path he was on, a gift to help pursue their dreams. Mark was an exceptional human being in every regard, a kindred free-spirited soul, a loving son, a loyal brother and a friend to all creation, with a talent that was ever as witty as he was brilliant. He is sorely missed by all who knew him.

The Mark  K. A. Williams Memorial  Scholarship Fund is a fully licensed 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, #1439528.  We are committed to providing financial assistance to select gifted, students of every background who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement in pursuit of a career in Film-making, Broadcasting, Telecommunications or any of the Performing Arts.