Obituaries

Mr. Williams was born in Chelsea, Mass., and served in the Navy Reserve from 1945 to 1946. From Cornell University, he received a bachelor's degree in 1949 and a master's degree in Russian language and literature in 1950.

He began working at the NSA in 1953 and was posted in Ethiopia from 1972 to 1975 during the final years of Emperor Haile Selassie's reign. For his work there, he received the Meritorious Civilian Service Award from the NSA in 1975.

He retired in 1985.

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Elizabeth S. Williams of Silver Spring; a daughter, Abigail S. Brady of Rockville; a sister; and two grandchildren.

-- Yvonne Shinhoster Lamb

Julie Hartoft StewartCommunications Director

Julie Hartoft Stewart, 65, a former communications director for the American Gas Association, died of peritoneal cancer Aug. 16 at Virginia Hospital Center. She lived in Arlington.

Mrs. Stewart worked for the association from 1985 to 1998. Starting as a writer for American Gas magazine, she became manager of public information, director of public relations and managing director of communications, overseeing all the trade association's public relations and publications.

She was born in Ottumwa, Iowa. She graduated from Drake University in Des Moines and worked for Better Homes and Gardens magazine for six years as a writer and manager. In 1974, her family moved to Arlington, where Mrs. Stewart became active in the Junior League of Washington as a board member and officer. She was a docent at the Folger Shakespeare Library.

In 1982, her family moved to San Marino, Calif., where she worked as a feature writer and society columnist for the Pasadena Star News and was a member of the Junior League of Pasadena. She also fulfilled a longtime ambition to appear on the television show "Jeopardy!"

The Stewarts returned to Arlington in 1985, and Mrs. Stewart began working for the trade association of the natural gas utility and pipeline companies.

After retirement, she twice won the most-improved award from the Women's Golf Association at Washington Golf and Country Club in Arlington. She was the association's chairman. She was also a member of the Smithsonian Women's Committee. She enjoyed traveling and visited more than 30 countries since 2000.

A son, Brian Stewart, died in 2002.

Survivors include her husband of 41 years, Robert B. Stewart of Arlington; a daughter, Sarah Stewart of New York; her mother, Connie Hartoft of West Des Moines, Iowa; and a sister.

-- Patricia Sullivan