Distinguished Alumni

Dr. Bob Williams (Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering 1963, Master of Science in Agricultural Economics 1967, and Doctorate of Agricultural Economics 1977) worked 32 years with the MSU Extension Service, retiring in 1995. But retirement couldn't keep him away as he returned to the Division of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine (DAFVM) as a special assistant to the vice president and remained until 2020.

Williams served six months' active duty in the U.S. Army before becoming an assistant extension economist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service in 1964. He focused on farm management, specifically with the MSU-TVA joint farm demonstration programs. In 1974, he began his doctoral degree, crediting Dr. Felix Edwards in agricultural engineering and Drs. Verner Hurt and Fred Tyner in agricultural economics for helping him along the way.

During his time with MSU Extension, Williams served as a leader of the Extension Economics Department for approximately nine years. He concluded by serving as the interim state program leader for agriculture in 1994-1995. Williams served as president of the Mississippi Association of County Agricultural Agents and helped develop the Mississippi Farm Management Handbook and the Mississippi Ag Booklet. He is most proud of an endowed scholarship in his name in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and having the DAFVM Steller Staff Award named in his honor.

Williams and his wife, Nancy, have two children and five grandchildren and currently reside in Starkville.