He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Hilda Lewis Williams; two sons: Thomas N. Williams, Jr. and John T. L. Williams; two daughters-in-law, Annie Belle Sackett Williams and Bonnie Croyle Williams; and three grandchildren: Kaitlin Lark Williams, Thomas Nelson Williams, III, and Isabelle Hanna Williams.

He was born in Richmond, Va., educated at the University of Richmond, and received his law degree from the University of Virginia. After working for the legal department of E.I. DuPont de Nemours in Wilmington, Del., he returned to Richmond to work for his family's company, Richmond Steel Co.

In 1963, he entered the brokerage business, first with Merrill Lynch and then with Scott & Stringfellow until he retired. He was a member of the Country Club of Virginia, the Richmond Kiwanis Club and a trustee of Second Baptist Church.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 13, at Second Baptist Church, 9614 River Road, Richmond VA 23229. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Virginia Voice for the Print Handicapped, P.O. Box 15546, Richmond, Va. 23227.