Clarence O. Williams was born on December 7, 1895 in Russelville, Missouri. Williams earned his Bachelor of Science degree in education at Central Missouri State University and served as a high school principal in Jefferson City, Missouri, a high school principal in Boonville, Missouri, and superintendent of schools in Tipton, Missouri before entering Teachers College at Columbia University. He later earned a doctorate of education in teacher education at New York University. Dr. Williams joined the Penn State faculty in 1926 and served as professor of education, director of education placement, director of education extension (1946) assistant dean of admissions (1948), registrar, and assistant to the president for special services (1958). He coauthored the widely used textbook, Education in a Democracy (1937) and served on the National Commission on Teacher Education and Professional Standards and the Council on Accreditation of Teacher Education. He retired from the university as dean emeritus of admissions and professor emeritus of education at Penn State in June 1961, after 35 years of service. After retirement he served as visiting professor at Dickinson College. A veteran of the First World War, Williams was also a district governor of Rotary International, a member of the National Education Association and the National Council of Teacher Accreditations, and a life member of the Pennsylvania Education Association. He died on November 14, 1984, in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.
From the description of Clarence O. Williams papers, 1958-1961. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 319438886
