Brian Edward Williams

Obituary

Brian Edward Williams, devoted husband, father, friend, athlete, leader, entrepreneur, and cherished “Papa Thor,’’ passed away on April 5, 2026, at the Mayo Clinic Jacksonville. He was 75.

A true salt-of-the-earth man and eternal optimist, Brian met life with strength, humility, and an enduring belief in the good in people.

Brian was born on July 31, 1950, in Gary, Indiana to Dr. Hugh J. Williams and Lillian Isabel Williams. He grew up in North Oaks, Minnesota, where he developed a lifelong love of sports and competition. Modest to a fault, he was a passionate and accomplished athlete, excelling in tennis, ice hockey, and nearly anything he set his mind to.

Brian attended Mounds View High School before going on to Dartmouth College, where he was recruited to play both ice hockey and tennis. He went on to compete in both singles and doubles, winning the Eastern Doubles Championship and serving as team co-captain. At Dartmouth, he was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity, where he formed lifelong friendships. After graduation, he went on to earn his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Brian began his career in 1975 at Leo Burnett in Chicago, where his ability to connect with people, paired with strong business instincts and creativity, allowed him to thrive. Working on major brands such as Procter & Gamble and Kraft, he built lifelong friendships with colleagues who became like family. It was also at Leo Burnett where Brian met the love of his life, Barbara Bruck, his true partner whom he affectionately referred to as Barbie.

Over 23 years at Leo Burnett, Brian rose to be Executive Vice President of the Chicago office, before being asked to serve as President of Foote, Cone & Belding in 1998. Brian went on to be the founder of Element 79 in 2001, named after the periodic table element for gold, reflecting his belief in the golden rule. Under his leadership, the agency became one of the most celebrated in the industry, known not only for its creative success but for its people-first culture and sense of fun.

Throughout his career, Brian served on several boards, including Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and CDW. He was widely respected for his integrity, strong moral compass, and his belief that great work should also be meaningful and enjoyable.

While Brian was a giant in the world of advertising, his true passion was entrepreneurship. Brian and Barbara co-founded Oil Oasis, an innovative mobile oil-changing company. He also loved to invest in things that brought him joy. He invested in and was a partial owner of minor league baseball teams, notably the Lansing Lugnuts and the Montgomery Biscuits. Additionally, in his retirement he loved to invest in real estate together with his wife and girls. He split time between Winnetka, Punta Mita and Kiawah Island. These communities became a second home to Brian, and he found great joy in building lasting connections with the people he opened his homes to.

Above all, Brian was devoted to his family. A proud girl dad, he spent countless hours supporting and encouraging his daughters, whether on the tennis court, in the stands, or simply by offering “tips” with enthusiasm and care. As a husband and partner, he was steady, supportive, and deeply present, building a life with Barbara rooted in shared experiences, friendship and true partnership.

He will be remembered for his clever wit, unwavering loyalty, no-frills attitude, lifelong friendships built on the tennis court and golf course, and prioritizing what matters most – people. A true champion of others and a steadfast defender of the underdog.

Brian is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara Bruck Williams; his three daughters: Kellar, Ryan (Jack), Cameron (Mike), and his brother, Dr. Hugh J. Williams Jr. He was a proud and devoted “Papa Thor” to Williams, Carter, Beckett, John, and Michael. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Hugh J. Williams, Lillian Isabel Williams and his sister, Susan Rogstad.

A Celebration of Life will be held on May 8, 2026, at Skokie Country Club at 1:00 p.m. Attire is encouraged to reflect Brian’s spirit, no black, and instead, guests are asked to dress in fun fashion that celebrates their memories of him, however no jeans are allowed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Erika’s Lighthouse, a charity most near and dear to the Wiliams family. http://erikaslighthouse.org/donate

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Memory wall

April 11, 2026

Brian Williams was the kind of neighbor everyone hopes to have, and very few are lucky enough to find.

From the very beginning, Brian brought warmth, humor, and an easy generosity to life in El Encanto. His emails alone tell the story: quick wit, playful banter, and a natural ability to make people smile. Whether it was a spirited “BREAK UP THE DUCKS!” rallying cry, a perfectly timed joke, or a lighthearted jab about college football rivalries, Brian had a gift for keeping things fun and connected.

But beyond the humor was something deeper. Brian paid attention. He checked in. He cared.
When one of us was recovering from surgery, Brian reached out, not once, but repeatedly, offering encouragement, celebrating progress, and making sure we knew we were not alone. When COVID disrupted plans, he was quick with both humor and genuine offers of help: “Anything we can do…happy to assist.”

That was Brian, thoughtful without being heavy, generous without being showy.

He and Barb were not just neighbors; they were part of what made this place feel like home. Whether it was conversations about golf carts, shared dinners that needed rescheduling but were always anticipated, or simply the comfort of knowing they were next door, Brian helped create the fabric of our community.

He also had a remarkable way with words, often humorous, sometimes irreverent, but always human. He celebrated the good news of others with genuine enthusiasm (“Best news EVER!”), and he never missed an opportunity to lift the mood, even in difficult moments.

We will remember Brian for his laughter, his kindness, his loyalty to friends, and the unmistakable energy he brought into every interaction. Life felt a little lighter, a little more fun, and a little more connected with Brian around.

Our hearts are with Barb and the entire Williams family.
Brian will be deeply missed, but fondly remembered, often quoted, and never forgotten.

With gratitude for having known him,
Clarke & Nancy

Clarke & Nancy

April 11, 2026

There are usually only a handful of people who have the greatest impact on your life, and Brian was one of those people for me. In 1990, he saved me from an early career mistake and helped me return to Leo Burnett; and join him on the brand-new Sony account. He actually tried to "sneak me" back into the company after having left the firm with some rather strong and pointed comments made to our CEO, Bill Lynch. Despite Brian's best efforts, Bill cornered and then had some "paternalistic fun" with me, before finally agreeing to let me return and work again with Brian. The three of us have been close ever since (pictured together below and with creative icon Lary Larson). I later went on to work at Sony and reconnected with BEW when I was working at Cricket and he at Element 79. Our career journey together spanned a few decades and included many highly memorable life, shared relationships, and sports stories along the way. He was always authentic, humble, and kind and most of all taught me to the value of those virtues inside and outside of business. There is no doubt that I am a better person for having known and experienced life with BEW. Thank you Brian for letting me share part of your wonderful life. TSE

T. Scott Edwards

April 11, 2026

Brian, your wisdom, wit and lifelong “otherdirectedness” made you the perfect role model for us all. We will forever miss that shining light of yours that shown brightly on everyone around you. No golf course or tennis court on which you played and enjoyed the spirit of competition and the pure joy of camaraderie will never be the same. Rest in peace, dear friend. We will miss and love you forever. “Rico”

Rick Lenny

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