The Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law community is saddened to report the passing of one of its most generous donors, Fritzie G. Williams, who supported the law school from its opening in 1995 to her death this month.

Before the law school even opened its doors, Fritzie demonstrated her support of the University’s efforts to create a law school dedicated to making an impact on its students and community. In 1995, she gave a gift of $250,000 for the school’s first endowed professorship, the Frank L. Williams, Jr. Professorship in Criminal Law, in honor of her late husband.

Although she and her husband had no ties to the university, Fritzie wanted to support the expansion of legal education in the county, where Frank was former head of the Orange County Public Defender’s Office.

“Fritzie wanted our students trained in the law to consider public service, and public defenders were particularly close to her heart since standing for those without resources was very much part of what Fritzie thought distinguished America,” said Fowler School of Law Professor and former Dean Tom Campbell.

In 2015, she made a $1 million gift to the law school, which was recognized with the naming of the Fritzie G. Williams Lecture Hall in Kennedy Hall. Fritzie also served as part of the Women of Chapman, a group of philanthropic-minded women dedicated to a program of service to the University.

Beyond her philanthropy, Fritzie was well-known for her youthful and vibrant personality. “Fritzie’s smile, laugh, optimistic turn on everything in life, brought joy to all who knew her,” Professor Campbell said. “Her personality seemed to have taken flight at an early age, and stayed in the upper atmosphere of joy, wonderment and excitement about every new turn a long life presented her.”