He sent me an email off-line, and we enjoyed a great banter back and forth. He noticed that I was also a blogger and asked for the links to my blog pieces. He would read and comment on them, often offering his critique. Then, I started getting emails from him that he said were actually DJ's words, that he painstakingly typed out for her. He would read them to her and she wanted to give me feedback. Pretty soon, we exchanged phone numbers and began chatting regularly. Sometimes, when I called, DJ would get on the extension and we would have a three-way. Dave was wonderful - never once did it feel like I was talking to this renowned, prestigious pioneer in the stuttering field. We talked like we were friends. And we were, even though we had never met. Dave and DJ sent me pictures so I knew what they looked like, and they watched some of of my videos, so they knew what I looked like. And both would always say that I stuttered just fine, that my stuttering was actually quite pleasant to listen to. High praise from two very experienced professionals in the field.

Dave really took a shine to me, I think. He started sending me copies of stories he wrote and had published in magazines many years earlier- many about his childhood passions and his love for flying and airplanes. He painstakingly scanned them into his computer and emailed them to me - sometimes he told me it took hours and several tries to do it - so I knew sharing them was really important. I felt honored actually, and really enjoyed the stories of his childhood, such a different time period. He was proud of those pieces.

Several times Dave and DJ invited me to visit them in their home - they would allow me use of their car, room, etc. Unfortunately, it never happened that I got there. They had kept the house even after moving into an assisted living retirement facility. Dave had some trouble setting up his computer in the "new digs", and sometimes I would come home from work and find a message on my answering machine from him, asking about a computer or email issue. I was happy he felt he could call me and I always called back, even if I had no clue how to help with the computer problem. Again, when I called, DJ would get on the other line and we would chat. I talked to his daughters Holly and Carol one time too.

I found out Dave died several weeks after the fact - as DJ couldn't call. Dave was her "eyes" - he read everything to her and made the calls. I have talked to DJ several times after Dave died, and I was so impressed with her spirit - of course she was sad, but she was so happy that he passed peacefully.

I never met these wonderful people in person, but feel like I got to know Dave thorough our on-line exchanges, frequent telephone calls, sharing of stories and some of the letters Dave sent me, diligently typed out when the computer wouldn't cooperate. I have saved one or two of the letters and the Christmas card they sent, with Dave and DJ with their two beautiful grown daughters. How wonderful that this man and his wife would be interested in chatting with someone they had never met and sharing part of their lives and their stories with me. I am not a SLP and had no real connection in the field. We just clicked and took a chance on letting friendship grow. I treasure the fact that I got to know this renowned, respected, expert pioneer in the stuttering field in a whole different way - as friends. Every time we talked on the phone and said good-bye, both of them always said, "with love to you". So I am saying that right back to you, Dave - "with love to you. Thank you for letting me in!"

In ensuing years, I often ran into him at professional conferences, sometimes sharing a visit in a restaurant or bar, where he'd have a groups around him enjoying his verbal outputs. Oh! - - - how he could liven up dull, ego-centered-type gatherings! He was particularly skilled in portraying attempts throughout history to solve the enigma of stuttering. Many times I witnessed him diplomatically injecting some reality into the far-fetched claims of "established fluency" produced by near-neophytes engaging in laboratory setups that, for the moment, resulted in their stuttering subjects emitting their "coverted," magical goal of no stuttering at all.

During the many years he served on the faculty of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, he hosted groups of stutterers involved in self-help movements. Together with his wife, Dorothy Jane, they often hosted socials for these groups in their home. Many meaningful interactions took place in such a relaxed, friendly setting.

From my perspective, Dave was a marvelous example of one who built his mastery over stuttering on solid, time-tested principles. The rays of sunshine he brought to light up the dark cavern of stuttering will never be extinguished. His article "some thoughts on stuttering therapy," available on the Internet, will, happily, serve as a source for those wanting to enrich their knowledge and understanding.

(additional personal correspondence, August 20, 2014) Having Dave Williams as a valued friend for more than six decades, made me realize that clearing one's mind of negative clutter and allowing humor to penetrate into shadowy crevices were important ingredients in the recipe leading to recovery from stuttering.

I met Dave in the mid 1970's and on numerous occasions over the next ten years at ASHA, Self Help Stuttering Conventions and in his office at Northern Illinois University.

My fondest memories were of his wonderful sense of humour and his accordion playing. One example of his humour, during a visit to his office I noticed a framed object on his wall. It consisted of a Corn Cob pointed at one end and an electrical cable with a two pin plug attached. On asking him what it was he replied "My Patent Cure for Stuttering" plug it into the wall and you can imagine where the other end goes.

Many happy hours were spent together traveling with Dave sitting in the rear seat of the automobile playing his accordion and all on board singing with him.

I was saddened to learn of his passing as for me he epitomised the perfect American gentleman and eminent scholar. (July 8, 2011)