Wayne R. Williams, FAIA, an award-winning Southern California Modernist architect, died on November 27. He was 88 years old and had been in poor health for many months. Williams is best known for designing private residences, schools, community buildings, and recreational facilities with his business partner Whitney R. Smith. The two began working together in 1946 and, three years later, formed a partnership that lasted nearly three decades.

A native of Los Angeles, Williams studied architecture at the University of Southern California before serving in World War II, during which he designed hangars and other facilities for the U.S. Army. After the war, he completed a bachelor’s degree at USC, where he studied under Smith before the two went into business together.